Written By David Gomez
TRAVEL - As you may already know, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV holds dual nationality. His Holiness was born in Chicago in 1955, but he also became a Peruvian citizen in 2015, after several decades of ecclesiastical service in various towns and cities across northern Peru. Interestingly, most of my family comes from that region. All of us — myself included — are thrilled that the new Pope shares our culture and that he feels deeply proud of his Peruvian diocese. In fact, he mentioned Peru — specifically the northern city of Chiclayo — in his inaugural speech in St. Peter’s Square in Rome last week, speaking in impeccable Spanish.
I don’t usually believe in coincidences, but being in my country for a few days made me feel like everything happens for a reason. On Friday, May 2, I was able to walk through the Historic Centre of Lima with my mom and my younger brother. The weather was perfect, and we didn’t hesitate to visit the Main Plaza — also known as the Plaza de Armas — as well as the Cathedral of Lima. It’s worth remembering that Lima — or “City of Kings,” as it was known during colonial times — was founded on January 18, 1535, by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. In the Plaza de Armas, you can see several colonial buildings, including the Government Palace, the Metropolitan City Hall of Lima, and the renowned Cathedral.
The Cathedral was also founded by Pizarro — in fact, his remains are still there — initially as the “Main Church” in 1535 and later elevated to cathedral status on May 14, 1541, by Pope Paul III.
I’m excited to share that my grandparents were married in a side chapel of that same cathedral in the 1970s!
The Cathedral captures the essence of Lima’s history, not only in religious terms but also politically and artistically. Each of its fifteen chapels features a “retablo” (altarpiece) dedicated to a saint or Marian devotion, with the first one honouring its founder.
Over time, the building has undergone numerous transformations, prompted by earthquakes and aesthetic renovations. Its architecture showcases a blend of Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. Beneath its vaulted ceilings rest the remains of emblematic figures from Peru’s past.
I hope you enjoy this first chronicle of my trip to Lima. All photos were taken by me, though I had the generous guidance of my dear mother. More stories from Lima are coming in future editions!
