# Massive Fourteen-Meter Pope Leo XIV Statue Installed in Callao, Peru A colossal monument honors the Pope ahead of his historic apostolic visit to Peru. - **Source:** [Infobae](https://www.infobae.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c57dd671-a0a3-44cf-8ef7-382e59cd42d8 ## Colossal Monument Installation A massive 14-meter statue of Pope Leo XIV has been erected in the Callao province of Peru. The structure consists of a 12-meter figure placed atop a 2-meter pedestal. It was transported in sections during the early morning hours to avoid heavy traffic, arriving at the Parque del Niño Gaelito. ## Rapid Artistic Execution The statue was completed in just 45 days, a task typically requiring four months of labor. A team of 14 people, led by artists Rafael Gutiérrez and Deyvi Wong from the School of Fine Arts, managed the project. The sculpture features intricate details, including a specific facial mole of the Pope. ## Strategic Logistics Operation The transport operation involved moving the body, bust, and extended arms of the figure from a workshop in the Carabayllo district to the Pacific coast. This complex logistical maneuver was conducted at night to ensure the safe delivery of the oversized components to the site overlooking the ocean in Callao. ## Symbolic Civic Donation The monument was donated to Callao by Caja Huancayo as a gesture of faith and affection toward the Pope. Mayor César Pérez highlighted the artists' ability to capture the Pope's humanity and expression. The statue serves as a public tribute from the residents of Callao and the capital city of Lima. ## Anticipating Apostolic Visit The inauguration is scheduled for January 9 at 17:00 local time, coinciding with the sunset over the Pacific. Mayor Pérez expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will view the statue during his upcoming visit to Peru, which is set to take place from November 11 to November 16 as part of his tour. ## Deep Peruvian Ties Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, maintains a profound connection to Peru, having spent over 20 years there as a missionary and bishop. He eventually adopted Peruvian nationality. His upcoming itinerary includes stops in Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, Pucallpa, and the Andean town of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, which he will visit by helicopter. ## Regional Commemorative Context While the Callao statue is the largest, it is not the only one dedicated to Leo XIV in Peru. The Lambayeque region already hosts two other tributes: a full-body statue in the city of Chiclayo and a bust located in Pimentel, which is also positioned facing the Pacific Ocean. ## Historical Administrative Links The project carries personal significance for local leadership, as Robert Prevost previously served as the administrator of the Diocese of Callao while simultaneously acting as the bishop of Chiclayo. This history reinforces the strong institutional and personal bond between the religious leadership and the coastal communities preparing for the papal arrival. ## Sources covering this story - [Infobae — Massive Pope Leo XIV Statue Transported to Callao, Peru](https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2026/11/06/la-estatua-mas-grande-del-papa-leon-xiv-viaja-por-partes-para-ser-ensamblada-en-peru/) - [ANSA – Top News — Fourteen-Meter Statue of Pope Leo Unveiled in Lima, Peru](https://www.ansa.it/sito/photogallery/curiosita/2026/11/06/una-statua-di-14-metri-di-papa-leone-lo-accogliera-a-lima_ab67e62e-2244-4ebc-8fa0-2f0b8434b721.html) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._