Massive Pope Leo XIV Statue Transported to Callao, Peru
A fourteen-meter sculpture of Pope Leo XIV arrives in Callao for assembly ahead of his visit.
1Monumental Statue Transit
A fourteen-meter statue of Pope Leo XIV was transported in segments from a Carabayllo workshop to Callao. The operation occurred during the early morning hours on Friday to avoid heavy metropolitan traffic. Large trucks carried the torso, bust, and extended arms of the figure to the Parque del Niño Gaelito site.
2Technical Construction Details
The sculpture stands twelve meters tall and rests on a two-meter pedestal, reaching a total height of fourteen meters. A team of fourteen artists from the Escuela de Bellas Artes completed the project in just forty-five days. This accelerated timeline was significantly faster than the standard four-month duration for such complex works.
3Artistic Precision and Detail
Artists Rafael Gutiérrez and Deyvi Wong led the creation of the massive figure. The statue features intricate details, including a specific mole on the left side of the Pope's face. Local officials praised the team for capturing the Pope's facial expressions and human warmth in the final design of the monument.
4Funding and Local Support
The project was donated by Caja Huancayo to the Callao province. Mayor César Pérez emphasized that the statue serves as a gesture of affection and faith from the local community. The donation highlights the deep connection between the residents of Callao and the Pope, who previously served within the local diocese.
5Papal Connection to Peru
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, maintains a strong bond with Peru after spending over twenty years there as a missionary and bishop. He eventually adopted Peruvian nationality during his long pastoral career. This history informs the significance of the upcoming visit, which includes stops in Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa.
6Existing Regional Monuments
While this new statue is the largest dedicated to the Pope, it is not the first in Peru. Two other monuments already exist in the Lambayeque region, specifically in the city of Chiclayo and the coastal town of Pimentel. These earlier works also feature the Pope in various artistic representations near the sea.
7Upcoming Official Inauguration
The official unveiling of the statue is scheduled for January 9 at 17:00 local time. The ceremony is timed to coincide with the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Mayor Pérez expressed hope that the Pope will have the opportunity to view the monument during his upcoming apostolic visit to the country.
8Strategic Apostolic Visit
The Pope's visit to Peru is scheduled from November 11 to 16 as part of his first Latin American tour. His itinerary includes travel to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba by helicopter. This tour also encompasses visits to Uruguay and Argentina, marking a significant diplomatic and pastoral journey through the South American region.
Original article: Infobae — Massive Pope Leo XIV Statue Transported to Callao, Peru