Marinera, ballad and pop are some of the musical genres most used by the participants of the national musical composition contest, presented in Lima, capital of Peru, within the framework of the first anniversary of his pontificate.

And indeed, there are many stories of faith interwoven throughout northern Peru, where Father Prevost carried out his pastoral work. As an Augustinian missionary, he also gained firsthand knowledge of the realities of rural communities in Chulucanas, Piura.

A pontiff with a Peruvian heart

A year after the greeting he sent from the Vatican balcony to the world, the people of Chongoyape, Pimentel, and Morropón gratefully celebrate the election of a missionary apostle with an Augustinian heart.

In the 1980s, “The Pope of the North” dedicated himself to the formation of new priests in the province of Trujillo, capital of the La Libertad region. He lived among the most vulnerable, both as apostolic administrator in 2014 and later after being consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in 2015.

“A Lion has been forged in northern Peru!” resounds the lyrics of a tondero accompanied by guitar and cajón, in homage to the pilgrim who crossed from Chiclayo to the Vatican. Among other musical pieces that emerged in tribute to the new successor of Peter, other notable ones include  “La Cumbia del papa” (The Pope’s Cumbia),  performed by  Donnie Yaipén ,  “La Marinera del papa” (The Pope’s Marinera)  by Charlie Andre, and the tondero  “De Chiclayo al Vaticano” (From Chiclayo to the Vatican)  by Coco Llaque.

“Lion of Hope”

As a sign of the deep affection and love that the Peruvian people have for the Holy Father, the call for entries to the musical contest called  “Lion of Hope” was organized  , which seeks a voice or voices to sing to Pope Leo XIV, as explained by the advisor of the apostolic nunciature, Monsignor  Giuseppe  Quirighetti , during the launch of this contest on May 11.

On behalf of the president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Carlos García Camader, the interim secretary, Monsignor Guillermo Inca Pereda, stated that this initiative, led by the  National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru and  carried out in coordination with the  Archdiocese of Lima and the Peruvian Episcopal Conference  , is, in addition to being an artistic expression, an opportunity for Peru to manifest, through music, the faith and the yearning for peace and reconciliation of Peruvians.

In an exclusive interview with Exaudi, Jorge Chávez, director of Peru’s national radio station, announced that the registration deadline for this activity has been extended to June 21. He also indicated that the chosen song will be designated as the official anthem for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Peru, scheduled for November.

To access the contest rules, you can enter this link:

https://digital.tvperu.gob.pe/leon-de-la-esperanza

And on social media:

@Consensual Journalism

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1646638266592154