Written by:
peru.travel
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Pope Leo XIV marked an unprecedented moment for the Catholic community.
In a historic event for the Catholic faith in Peru, Pope Leo XIV bestowed his blessing upon the sacred image of the Lord of Miracles and its devoted followers during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
The moment took place on Sunday, October 19, following the traditional Angelus prayer. As the Pontiff made his way through the square aboard the popemobile, he paused before the image of the Dark Christ surrounded by worshippers dressed in the traditional purple habit. There, Pope Leo XIV stopped the vehicle, raised his right hand to deliver the papal blessing, then brought his hands together in prayer before continuing his procession.
A condor soared over the Vatican
In a deeply moving and unforgettable moment, just as Pope Leo XIV blessed the image of the Lord of Miracles, the iconic Peruvian melody "El cóndor pasa" filled St. Peter’s Square. The piece was performed by the children of the Philharmonic of the Paris School of Musical Arts.
You may also like: La ruta de Leon (The Path of Leo): A remarkable journey of faith through Peru
Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles. ©Vatican Media
This act, led by the Pope who became a naturalized Peruvian, holds double historical significance. Never before had a pontiff delivered a blessing directly before a sacred image — a gesture traditionally performed from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Just hours before this unforgettable moment, thousands of devotees from around the world joined the Grand International Procession of the Lord of Miracles, organized by Peruvian brotherhoods from Europe, the United States, and South America. The procession began along the Via della Conciliazione and culminated in St. Peter’s Square, where a sea of faithful dressed in the traditional purple habit eagerly awaited the arrival of the holy image.
The Lord of Miracles for the whole World
In 2025, devotion to the Lord of Miracles reached a truly global scale, with celebrations held in more than 50 cities across 14 countries as part of the so-called "Worldwide Procession," which took place on October 4. Peruvian communities throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia organized processions, Masses, and cultural events in honor of the Dark Christ —a heartfelt expression of faith, belonging, and pride in their roots, even far from home.
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