Peru unveils 14-meter statue honoring Peruvian-born Pope Leo XIV ahead of papal visit

A 14-meter statue honoring Pope Leo XIV was inaugurated in Callao, Peru, on Monday, November 9, 2026. The fiberglass monument, finished in white marble, depicts the pope in papal vestments with open arms facing the Pacific Ocean. It was built in 45 days by Peruvian artists and stands in a plaza in the port province adjacent to Lima.

Caja Huancayo financed the sculpture with 240,720 soles. The Provincial Municipality of Callao accepted the donation through Council Agreement No. 104-2026-AC/MPC. Jorge Solís, director of Caja Huancayo, said the contribution is a gesture of memory because Peru has a Peruvian-born pope who will visit the country.

The statue is located in Parque del Niño Gaelito, described as a recreation space for children and youth in one of Callao's most vulnerable areas. Solís said the park also serves as a crime-prevention tool. He noted that Caja Huancayo and its foundation run a program called Recovering Spaces for Youth as Preventive Security Measures, already applied in La Victoria and El Agustino.

Carlos García Camader, president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, blessed the monument and said the pope will likely pass by when he visits an elderly care home in Callao on November 16. He added that the jurisdiction has prepared better for the visit and also created a large mural dedicated to the Holy Father.

Callao Provincial Mayor César Pérez called the statue a tribute by the Catholic people to their Peruvian pope, made by Peruvian hands. He said the pope's arrival shows Callao can work together. García Camader referenced the city's insecurity problems, stating the pope does not want Callao to be news of violence but of peace, concord, and fraternity.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, served as bishop of Chiclayo for more than eight years before his 2025 election. He dedicated much of his life to Peru and was apostolic administrator of the Callao diocese during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. The pope is expected to arrive in Peru in the coming days for his apostolic visit.