In Lima, preparations are under way for Pope Leo XIV’s November pilgrimage to Peru. The Vatican‑appointed pontiff, who first served as a missionary in the country in the 1980s, will be welcomed with a specially commissioned hymn that honors a Peruvian nun killed by Maoist rebels.
“Leon, Hermano del Camino” – a song of sacrifice
The hymn, titled “Leon, Hermano del Camino” (“Leo, Brother on the Journey”), blends Andean rhythms with a reverent melody. It will be performed by the Aguchita youth choir, named after Maria Agustina Rivas – affectionately called “Aguchita” – who was murdered by Shining Path guerrillas in 1990 while delivering humanitarian aid in the Amazon jungle.
Rivas was beatified by the Vatican in 2022 under Pope Francis after the Church recognized her death as a martyrdom motivated by hatred of the Catholic faith. Lead singer Keverly Escobar, 27, told Reuters she feels proud to honor a saint who gave “her life for the most humble.”
Composer links past and present
Jaime Montoya, the hymn’s composer, said the piece reflects a common thread of sacrifice that unites Aguchita’s martyrdom with Pope Leo’s lifelong service. Montoya recalled the pontiff’s early years as Bishop Robert Prevost, noting how both men devoted themselves to the people of Peru.
“The song came about partly while looking back on the life of our then‑bishop, Robert Prevost,” Montoya explained, referring to Leo’s former name before his election as pope.
Historical backdrop
Peru’s modern history is scarred by a brutal conflict between government forces and the Shining Path, a guerrilla movement that sought to establish a communist state. Official estimates place the death or disappearance of roughly 69,000 people between 1980 and 2000, many from indigenous and Amazonian communities.
“Aguchita knew she was confronting Shining Path, which at that time had the government under pressure and wanted to force all communities to join its cause,” said Monsignor Pedro Castro of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Ramón, where Rivas served.
Political context
The papal visit arrives shortly after President Keiko Fujimori assumed office in July, pledging national unity after years of political turbulence. Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, has publicly praised her father’s role in defeating the Shining Path in the 1990s, though his legacy remains controversial due to allegations of corruption and human‑rights abuses.
The hymn won a national competition to find a song that symbolizes unity ahead of the Pope’s November 11‑16 itinerary, which also includes stops in Argentina and Uruguay.
Leo’s ties to Peru
Pope Leo, the first U.S.‑born pontiff, first arrived in Peru in 1985 and became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 after serving as bishop of Chiclayo until 2023. His deep connection to the country adds a personal dimension to the upcoming celebrations.
As the nation prepares for the papal tour, the hymn serves as a reminder of both Peru’s resilient faith and the sacrifices made by those who defended it.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
