Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The election of Pope Leo XIV in carried special meaning for Peru, particularly for the city of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, where the then-priest Robert Francis Prevost spent decades as a missionary and nearly 10 years as bishop.
Although Prevost was born in Chicago, he became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 when he was named bishop of what he called his "beloved diocese of Chiclayo," a phrase he delivered in Spanish in his first words to the world after being elected pope.
The impact of his election has been not only spiritual, but also economic, with a significant boost to tourism in the city.
Lambayeque Gov. Jorge Pérez said Thursday that the region recorded an additional $42 million in revenue from tourism tied to the pope's history in the area.
Related
