The apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Pucallpa, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, is already sparking a profound spiritual, pastoral, and social mobilization throughout the region. For the Amazonian Church, this is not merely a historic event, but a new missionary mission that seeks to renew the path begun by Pope Francis in Puerto Maldonado in 2018.
This was expressed by B Bishop Martín Quijano, SDBB , bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pucallpa and delegate of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference to the B Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA)B , during an interview granted to CEAMA.
“It is a historic event that will likely not be repeated for many years. We are experiencing it with great joy, excitement, and gratitude. It is a visit that fills not only Pucallpa but the entire Amazon region with hope. The Pope’s message must reach the entire Amazon region and the world.”
An Amazonian Church That Has Changed Since Francis
For Bishop Quijano, Leo XIV will find a Church different from the one Francis visited nearly a decade ago.
Pope Francis’ historic visit to Puerto Maldonado opened a new horizon for the Church in the Amazon. From it emerged the Synod for the Amazon, the apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonía, and, subsequently, the creation of CEAMA as a concrete expression of a synodal Church with an Amazonian face.
“Since Pope Francis’ visit, the Church in the Amazon has changed. It has made tremendous progress because it has sought to bring synodality and the Pope’s message to life in order to build a Church with an Amazonian face. Pope Leo XIV will find a Church in renewal, on a journey, filled with hope and new radiance.”
The bishop emphasizes that this process has not been merely organizational, but deeply spiritual and pastoral, marked by greater closeness to the Amazonian peoples and a renewed missionary awareness.
The Face the Pope Will Find
When asked what face of the Amazon he would like to show the Holy Father, Bishop Quijano replied that it will not be necessary to prepare an artificial image.
“The Pope will find a simple, faithful, and welcoming people; a people with a special spirituality, who seek God. He will also find a missionary Church that strives to serve all communities with joy, despite the difficulties, and that lives with hope.”
That, he assures us, is the true face of the Amazon: communities that remain faithful to the Gospel while facing enormous social, environmental, and pastoral challenges.
Preparations Aimed at Leaving a Lasting Impression
Ever since the possibility arose that Pucallpa might be chosen as the site for the papal visit, ecclesial communities, together with civil authorities, have been engaged in an organizational process that is now intensifying.
But, according to Bishop Quijano, the preparations go far beyond logistics.
“We are going to intensify our prayer and formation, because we must not only speak of the Pope’s visit, but also of what will remain for the Church in the Amazon.”
The bishop hopes the visit will mark a turning point for the entire region.
“We want there to be a renewed sending forth on mission. The preparations are already transforming our communities, but we also want the Amazonian Church to emerge strengthened in its mission after November.”
And he adds a conviction that transcends Peru’s borders:
“We must not speak only of the Peruvian Amazon. The Pope is coming to visit the Amazon in its entirety. He will visit Peruvian territory, but he is touching a territory that is sacred to the entire Amazonian Church.”
Three Moments That Reflect the Soul of the Amazon
Although the official agenda has not yet been published, Bishop Quijano shared some of the moments planned for the visit.
The first will be dedicated to meeting with and listening to the Amazonian peoples, in a setting by the Yarinacocha lagoon, where indigenous representatives and communities will be able to share their cultures, hopes, and challenges.
Subsequently, the Holy Father will meet with the local Church at the Cathedral of Pucallpa, the spiritual center of the Apostolic Vicariate.
Finally, one of the most significant gestures will be the planting of a shihuahuaco, the tallest and most iconic tree of the Amazon, mentioned by Pope Leo XIV himself in his message to the Sixth General Assembly of CEAMA.
“It will be a lasting sign of his visit. It is a tree that reaches maturity in approximately a thousand years. Future generations will remember this historic moment.”
The gesture symbolizes hope, permanence, and a commitment to caring for our Common Home.
“The Church is with you”
For Bishop Quijano, the central message that Pope Leo XIV will bring to the Amazon will be deeply pastoral.
“Simply by coming to the Amazon, the Pope is telling us: the Church is with you. She walks with you. And, therefore, there is hope.”
That message of hope will be joined by other fundamental calls: unity, peace, care for creation, the defense of the dignity of indigenous peoples, and a renewed commitment to the mission of evangelization.
“The Pope is coming to remind us of the importance of caring for creation, of defending the dignity of all Amazonian peoples, and of renewing our commitment so that the joy of the Gospel may reach every corner of our Amazon.”
A Visit for All Amazonian Peoples
Although Pucallpa will be the site of the visit, the bishop emphasizes that it will be an event for the entire Amazon region.
Representatives from numerous vicariates, dioceses, religious congregations, indigenous peoples, and pastoral workers from different regions of Peru are expected to participate, in addition to delegations from other Amazonian countries.
The vast distances characteristic of the region will pose a challenge, but they will also serve as a concrete expression of the peoples’ effort to gather around the Successor of Peter.
New Seeds for the Amazonian Church
At the conclusion of the interview with CEAMA, Bishop Martín Quijano addressed a message to all the ecclesial jurisdictions that make up the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon.
He recalled that CEAMA was born as one of the fruits of the journey spearheaded by Pope Francis and expressed his hope that the visit of Pope Leo XIV will continue to sow life for the Amazonian Church.
“CEAMA was born precisely from that journey opened up by Pope Francis. I am certain that this visit by Pope Leo will bring new things that will grow in our Amazon region, like new seeds of beautiful and immense trees for our Church.”
With its sights set on November, the Amazon is preparing not only to welcome a Pope, but also to renew its commitment to a synodal, missionary, prophetic Church that is deeply rooted in the lives of its peoples.