The Route of Pope Leo XIV
A Catholic Pilgrimage to Northern Peru & Proposed Papal Encounter
10 Days / 8 Nights | Lima & Northern Peru | December 2026*
Follow the Pastoral Footsteps of Pope Leo XIV in Peru
Journey to the heart of northern Peru on a unique Catholic pilgrimage following the places connected with the pastoral ministry of Pope Leo XIV before his election to the Chair of St. Peter.
Long before becoming Pope, Robert Francis Prevost spent an important part of his ministry in Peru, eventually serving as Bishop of Chiclayo. His years there created a profound bond with the local Church and with communities whose Catholic faith is expressed through vibrant Marian devotion, Eucharistic spirituality and centuries-old popular traditions.
The Route of Pope Leo XIV invites pilgrims to discover that story firsthand.
From the colonial churches and saints of Lima to Chiclayo, the center of the Holy Father’s former diocese, we will encounter the communities, churches and devotional traditions that formed part of his pastoral life in Peru.
Subject to the final official program of the anticipated Apostolic Visit, the pilgrimage is also being designed around the possibility of participating in a major celebration with Pope Leo XIV in northern Peru.
Yet this journey reaches far beyond the papal visit.
Northern Peru is home to one of the richest archaeological landscapes in the Americas. Alongside its Catholic heritage, we will encounter the ancient civilizations of Sipán, Sicán, Lambayeque and the Mochica world, visiting extraordinary archaeological complexes and museums that reveal thousands of years of Peruvian history.
Faith, history, archaeology, culture and fellowship come together in a pilgrimage to a part of Peru still unknown to many international travelers.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- Follow the Footsteps of Pope Leo XIV — discover the region where the Holy Father carried out an important part of his pastoral ministry.
- Chiclayo Cathedral — visit the cathedral of the diocese Pope Leo XIV once shepherded as bishop.
- Proposed Papal Encounter — possibility of participating in a major Mass or celebration during the anticipated Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV, subject entirely to official confirmation.
- Lima’s Catholic Heritage — discover the Cathedral, Santo Domingo and the historic heart of Peru’s capital.
- Divine Child of the Miracle in Eten — encounter one of northern Peru’s remarkable Eucharistic traditions.
- Cross of Chalpón at Motupe — visit one of Peru’s most beloved pilgrimage shrines.
- Historic Colonial Churches — discover the Catholic heritage of Monsefú, Íllimo, Lambayeque, Ferreñafe and other communities of northern Peru.
- Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum — encounter one of Latin America’s most extraordinary archaeological collections.
- Huaca Rajada – Sipán — visit the archaeological site where the famous Lord of Sipán was discovered.
- Sicán National Museum — explore the extraordinary legacy of the Lambayeque civilization.
- Túcume — discover a monumental archaeological landscape of pyramids associated with the Lambayeque, Chimú and Inca civilizations.
- Zaña — encounter the remains of one of colonial Peru’s most fascinating historic communities.
- Peruvian Culture & Tradition — experience the gastronomy, landscapes and traditions of the northern coast.
- Opportunities for Mass, prayer and spiritual reflection throughout the pilgrimage.
A Special Pilgrimage for an Historic Moment
The Route of Pope Leo XIV has been developed around the anticipated Apostolic Visit of the Holy Father to Peru.
For this reason, it differs from a conventional fixed-date pilgrimage.
As official details become available, our team will adapt the itinerary around the Holy Father’s confirmed schedule while preserving the broader spiritual, historical and cultural experience of the journey.
The final program may be customized for parishes, dioceses, Catholic organizations and private pilgrimage groups traveling from the United States.
Depending on group interests, budget and available time, possibilities may include:
International flights • Mass arrangements • papal-event logistics • additional Pope Leo XIV sites • Lima Catholic heritage • St. Rose of Lima • St. Martin de Porres • additional archaeological visits • special local guides • gastronomic experiences • pre- or post-tour extensions • additional nights in Lima • Machu Picchu and Cusco extension
More Than the Route of a Pope
Following the path of Pope Leo XIV is ultimately about discovering the people and the Church he came to know and serve.
In Chiclayo, we encounter a local Church rooted in the daily lives of its communities.
At Motupe and Eten, we discover forms of popular devotion passed from one generation to another.
In Lima, we walk through a city that gave the universal Church saints whose witness reached far beyond Peru.
And at Sipán, Sicán and Túcume, we encounter civilizations whose history stretches back long before the arrival of Christianity.
Together, these places tell a much larger story.
A story of cultures meeting.
Of faith taking root.
Of communities preserving their traditions.
And of a missionary who came to Peru from the United States, made the country part of his own life, served its people — and would one day become Pope Leo XIV.
Important Information Regarding the Papal Visit
This pilgrimage has been designed around the anticipated Apostolic Visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Peru in 2026.
The dates, locations and format of any Papal Masses, public encounters or other events remain subject to official confirmation and may be modified by the Holy See, competent ecclesiastical authorities and Peruvian civil authorities.
Consequently, the sequence of the itinerary may need to be adjusted once the final papal schedule is published.
Access to papal events may also be subject to registration, accreditation, capacity limitations, security procedures and other regulations established exclusively by the official organizers.
Pilgrim Groups Travel cannot guarantee a particular location, reserved area, proximity to the Holy Father or participation in a specific event until such arrangements have been officially confirmed.
Should the papal program be modified, rescheduled or cancelled for reasons beyond our control, we will make every reasonable effort to adapt the pilgrimage and provide the most meaningful alternative program possible.
Important Information and Terms and Conditions
The published program is a general description and may be adjusted due to availability, operational requirements, local conditions, or the group’s needs.
By registering, each traveler confirms that they have reviewed and accepted our Terms and Conditions.
Confirmed trip details, payment information, official meetings and presentations, updates, and final travel documentation will be provided through the official WeTravel page, the final itinerary, and other communications from Pilgrim Groups Travel. Travelers are responsible for reviewing all documents, insurance provisions, entry requirements, and travel instructions provided.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1 — USA – Lima
Our Pilgrimage Begins
Today we begin our journey to Peru.
At the appropriate time, we will depart from our designated U.S. airport for Lima.
Depending on the departure city and airline schedule, the journey may operate as an overnight flight or include same-day arrival.
Flight to Peru.
Day 2 — Lima
Welcome to Peru
Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, we will be welcomed by our local team and transferred to our hotel.
The remainder of the day will be available to rest after our journey and begin adjusting to our new surroundings.
Depending on arrival schedules, an introductory walk, group gathering or celebration of the Eucharist may be incorporated.
Dinner arrangements according to the final program.
Overnight: Lima
Day 3 — Lima
Saints, Faith & the Historic Capital of Peru
After breakfast, we begin our discovery of Lima, a city where pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial and modern Peru meet.
We may begin in Miraflores, visiting the celebrated Parque del Amor overlooking the Pacific Ocean and enjoying a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, an important pre-Columbian ceremonial complex preserved within the modern city.
We then continue to Lima’s historic center.
Our guided exploration will introduce us to the magnificent Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace and the Cathedral of Lima, together with some of the most important buildings of the former viceregal capital.
A special Catholic highlight will be the historic Convent of Santo Domingo, closely connected with the extraordinary religious heritage of colonial Lima and the saints who helped shape Catholicism in Peru.
Depending on the final program, additional sites associated with St. Rose of Lima, St. Martin de Porres or other important figures of the Peruvian Church may also be incorporated.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Lima
Day 4 — Lima – Chiclayo
Into the Land of Pope Leo XIV
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Chiclayo.
Arrival and transfer to our hotel.
Chiclayo occupies a unique place in the story of Pope Leo XIV.
Before his election as Supreme Pontiff, Robert Francis Prevost served the Church here for years, first in pastoral ministry and eventually as Bishop of Chiclayo.
Our days in northern Peru will allow us to discover not merely places associated with his biography, but the Catholic communities, devotional traditions and cultural environment in which he served.
Depending on arrival time, the remainder of the day may include an introductory visit, Mass or time at leisure.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 5 — Chiclayo, Monsefú & Eten
The Church Pope Leo XIV Served
After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the Catholic heart of the region.
Our first important stop will be Santa María Cathedral in Chiclayo, the cathedral church of the diocese once led by Pope Leo XIV.
Depending on current exhibitions and availability, we may also encounter local initiatives or displays dedicated to his years of ministry and his relationship with the people of Chiclayo.
We continue toward Monsefú, where we may visit the Church of San Pedro and discover the long-standing devotion to the Captive Nazarene.
Our journey then takes us toward Eten, one of the most intriguing spiritual destinations in northern Peru.
Here we will visit the Church of Santa María Magdalena and learn about devotion to the Divine Child of the Miracle, rooted in a remarkable Eucharistic tradition that has shaped local Catholic identity for centuries.
Depending on the final schedule, we may conclude our day along the Pacific coast around Pimentel or Santa Rosa, discovering another side of the landscapes and traditional life of northern Peru.
Return to Chiclayo.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 6 — Proposed Papal Celebration
Encounter with the Holy Father
Today has been reserved around the anticipated Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Peru.
Subject entirely to confirmation of the final program by the Holy See, Peruvian bishops and competent civil authorities, we hope to participate in one of the major celebrations or encounters presided over by the Holy Father in northern Peru.
Should a Papal Mass form part of the official schedule, our objective will be to facilitate the group’s participation according to the access procedures, registration systems, security requirements and capacities established by the organizers.
Such an encounter would represent an extraordinary moment of this pilgrimage: celebrating our Catholic faith together with the successor of St. Peter in the very region where he once served as a missionary and bishop.
Because all elements associated with a papal visit remain under the exclusive authority of the Holy See and local organizers, the exact location, schedule, access arrangements and format will be incorporated into our program only once officially confirmed.
The remainder of the day will be adapted to the final papal schedule.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 7 — Ferreñafe – Sicán – Túcume
Ancient Civilizations & Living Faith
Today we explore the extraordinary historical depth of northern Peru.
We depart for Ferreñafe, where we may visit the historic Church of Santa Lucía, an important example of the region’s colonial religious heritage.
We then continue to the Sicán National Museum, where we encounter the remarkable civilization that flourished in the Lambayeque Valley centuries before the arrival of Europeans.
Its sophisticated metallurgy, funerary traditions, artistic achievements and religious world provide an extraordinary introduction to the cultures of ancient Peru.
Our journey may also incorporate the Church of San Juan Bautista in Íllimo before continuing to the spectacular archaeological landscape of Túcume.
Known for its monumental complex of pyramids, Túcume preserves the legacy of successive Lambayeque, Chimú and Inca cultures and provides a powerful visual reminder of the civilizations that shaped northern Peru long before the colonial period.
Return to Chiclayo.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 8 — Motupe & the Cross of Chalpón
A Sanctuary of Popular Faith
After breakfast, we travel toward Motupe, one of the great centers of popular Catholic devotion in northern Peru.
Our principal spiritual destination will be the Sanctuary of the Cross of Chalpón, associated with a devotion that draws enormous numbers of pilgrims each year.
Here we will discover an expression of Peruvian Catholicism deeply rooted in community, tradition and pilgrimage.
Depending on schedules and accessibility, our route may also incorporate historic churches in communities such as Motupe, Pacora and Lambayeque, allowing us to appreciate the beautiful colonial religious heritage scattered throughout the region.
Time will be provided for prayer and, where arrangements permit, the celebration of the Eucharist.
Return to Chiclayo.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 9 — Zaña – Sipán
The Lord of Sipán & the Mochica World
After breakfast, we dedicate our final full day in northern Peru to one of the most extraordinary archaeological stories in the Americas.
We begin in Zaña, once an important colonial city.
Here we will discover the surviving remains of its historic religious complexes, potentially including the Convent of San Agustín, while learning about the dramatic history of a town once expected to become one of the great centers of colonial Peru.
We then continue into the world of Sipán.
At Huaca Rajada, archaeologists uncovered the intact tomb of the Lord of Sipán, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century in the Americas.
We will visit the archaeological complex and site museum before continuing to the extraordinary Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum.
Its collections allow us to encounter the sophistication of the ancient Mochica civilization through spectacular goldwork, ceremonial objects and material recovered from the royal burials.
This final day brings together one of the defining characteristics of our pilgrimage:
a deeper encounter with Peru in which Catholic faith, colonial history and the civilizations that preceded Christianity are all understood as parts of the extraordinary human story of this land.
Return to Chiclayo.
Farewell dinner may be arranged depending on the final program.
Overnight: Chiclayo
Day 10 — Chiclayo – Lima – USA
Return Home
After breakfast, at the appropriate time, transfer to Chiclayo Airport for our flight to Lima.
Upon arrival, we connect with our international flight to the United States.
Depending on international flight schedules, an additional hotel night in Lima may be necessary and can be incorporated into the final program.
We return home having followed the pastoral footsteps of Pope Leo XIV and experienced the extraordinary Catholic, historical and archaeological heritage of northern Peru.
End of our pilgrimage services.
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