LIMA, Peru – Pope Leo XIV used his homecoming in Lima’s Plaza Mayor to address the urgent problem of gender‑based violence in Peru. Speaking before tens of thousands of worshippers, the pontiff condemned the pervasive “machismo” that fuels abuse against women and called for a national commitment to protect and respect every woman, from grandmothers to daughters.

Call for Church leadership and justice

Leo urged the Peruvian Catholic hierarchy to model unity and communion, directing bishops to accompany their flocks and respond to victims of clergy sexual abuse with truth and justice. He met with six survivors, including former members of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, listening to their stories and emphasizing the need for safe environments and genuine repentance.

Violence against women on the rise

The pope highlighted stark statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics: 1,261 femicide victims were recorded between 2016 and 2024, a 44% increase in women killed because of their gender. He noted that poor, Indigenous and Afro‑Peruvian women face double penalties and urged society to value and protect them.

“It pains us to see violence against women – who could be our grandmothers, mothers, sisters or daughters – continues to wound all of humanity,” Leo said. He appealed for men to understand that women are not merely complaining, but seeking love, help and safety.

Health and resilience

Despite undergoing lung‑cancer surgery last month, the 71‑year‑old pontiff demonstrated vigor, climbing a steep flight of stairs and joking with bishops about doubters who predicted he could not travel. “God is great and his grace is bigger than all of us,” he declared to applause.

Historical and pastoral context

Leo referenced the legacy of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, the 16th‑century archbishop who defended Indigenous rights and preached in native languages. He urged modern bishops to follow that example by entering homes, caring for the sick, and reaching out to remote or vulnerable communities.

While the clergy sexual‑abuse scandal has not erupted publicly in Peru as it has elsewhere in Latin America, Leo acknowledged it as a painful reality that demands a culture of prevention, forgiveness and accountability.

Local observers praised the pope’s heartfelt message and his willingness to meet survivors, seeing it as a hopeful step toward cultural change and greater protection for Peru’s women.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.