Thousands of faithful received the special greeting from Pope Leo XIV during the canonization ceremony held in St. Peter’s Square, where the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles experienced one of the most outstanding moments of World Mission Day.
The Vatican was the scene of a celebration that brought together delegations from different countries and religious communities. Pope Leo XIV He gave a message of encouragement to those present, with special attention to the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracleswhose members arrived in procession to participate in the canonization of seven new saints, including the first two from Venezuela. The pontiff expressed: “I greet the other pilgrims present, especially the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles, who celebrated the traditional procession.”
At the end of the Mass, Pope Leo XIV arrived aboard the popemobile to the area of St. Peter’s Square where hundreds of Peruvians waited for him with a replica of the image of the Lord of Miracles. Amid the excitement of those present, the pope blessed the image.
During the ceremony, the pope emphasized the missionary dimension of the Church within the framework of World Mission Day. He stressed: “The Church is entirely missionary”remembering the commitment of men and women who dedicate their lives to bringing the Gospel to those who have not heard the message. “They are missionaries of hope among the people”said the pontiff, who dedicated prayers to the new saints and those who left their homes for the faith.
The event took place in a climate of recollection, with St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful and official delegations. Leo XIV thanked the cardinals, patriarchs and bishops for the presence, as well as the president of Italy and Lebanon, along with representatives of Armenia and Venezuela. “Thank you all for your devoted participation”the pope said to the crowd.
The participation of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles This international call marked a relevant event for the Peruvian and Latin American community. The traditional procession in the Vatican brought together faithful of different nationalities, who carried the litter of the Moreno Christ in a liturgical act of notable spiritual significance. The canonization ceremony and papal greeting were broadcast internationally, enhancing the reach of Peruvian devotion in the global context.
The pope included in his prayers “those who suffer because of violence,” referring to the drama of countries affected by armed conflicts such as Myanmar, the Holy Land and Ukraine. He asked for the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the new saints “to advance in the search for a just and lasting peace.”
The Lord of Miracles It represents one of the most emblematic religious expressions of Lima and the Peruvian diaspora. The devotion dates back to the 17th century, when a mural of the crucified Christ withstood several earthquakes in Lima, which was interpreted as a sign of divine protection. Since then, the Brotherhood organizes one of the largest processions in the Catholic world every October, a phenomenon that crosses borders and brings together thousands of pilgrims in various cities.
In the celebration held in Rome, the presence of the anda morada and the faithful marked a bond between Peruvian traditions and the center of Christianity.
