Pope Leo developed a profound affection for Peru and its traditional dish, ceviche.
Revised Article
Say hello to Pope Leo X, the chill dude from Chi-town who fell head over heels for Peru and its legendary dish, ceviche, during his two-decade-long love affair with the country. The dude, whose true name is Robert Prevost, is originally from Chicago, Illinois but catapulted to the big leagues as supreme leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics back in '25.
Before he was the coolest pope on the planet, Prevost dropped everything to join the Augustinian order in Peru in '85, eventually earning himself a Peruvian passport in '15.
"He got a serious hankerin' for goat, duck with rice, and ceviche – those were his go-to dishes," said the current bishop of Chiclayo, Edison Farfan, at a recent press conference. Farfan also shared some snaps of the guy cruisin' a horse around Chiclayo.
Farfan gave us the scoop on Prevost's beginnings in Peru as a groovy missionary in the northern town of Chulucanas, fresh out of college in the United States. After that, he moved to the coastal city of Trujillo to set up an Augustinian seminary, and finally landed in Chiclayo where he was ordained a bishop in '15, according to Farfan.
Leo dedicated his whole life to the mission in Peru, and, like his predecessor Francis, had a soft spot for the downtrodden and those living on society's fringe. In his first address as pope, Leo paid homage to his "cool cat" diocese of Chiclayo, where the Catholic faithful had dropped some major knowledge to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Prevost was seen as the least Stateside of the US contenders to become the 267th pope, thanks to his decades of missionary work in Latin America. Across the continent, his election was met with cheers as another victory, this time following the papacy of Francis, the first-ever Latin American pontiff.
Left-wing Colombian President Gustavo Petro called him "more than an American," and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte hailed him as a Peruvian "by choice and conviction."
While Pope Leo X may not have Peruvian nationality, his heart has been in Peru ever since he set foot on the country's stunning shores back in '85. Grab a plate of ceviche and get to know the man who's making waves as the leader of the Catholic Church – Pope Leo X!
- Pope Leo X's fascination with Peruvian cuisine, such as goat, duck with rice, and ceviche, transformed his food-and-drink preferences during his two-decade stay in Peru.
- The introduction of global cuisines to Pope Leo X's lifestyle became a significant part of his life as he immersed himself in Peruvian culture, eventually influencing his papal influences and political stance.
- As the current Pope, Leo X's advocacy for the downtrodden and marginalized, reflected in his general news coverage, is a testament to his lifelong mission in Peru and his deep connection to the Peruvian people.
