Pope León XIV expressed his gratitude to the Peruvians of the Association of the Virgen de Chapi during the Regina Coeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The pontiff highlighted the community work carried out by this association and recalled its origins in Arequipa. “To the Peruvians in Rome who form the Association of the Virgen de Chapi from Arequipa, thank you for your service,” he stated from the window of his office.
This greeting took place in an atmosphere of joy and unity, where León XIV showed closeness to the compatriots present, as reported by Sergio Mora, a journalist from RPP in the Vatican. The devotion to the Virgen de Chapi has grown in Italy, thanks to the story of her arrival, which occurred when Sofía Neyra’s sister brought the image in a suitcase. Sofía, feeling nostalgic for her country, asked her sister to bring her a picture of the virgin. This anecdote highlights the strong emotional bond that Peruvian immigrants maintain with their culture.
The Association of the Virgen de Chapi continues to unite Peruvians abroad, becoming a symbol of their heritage and faith, as we have mentioned on other occasions.
