Hello, my name is Santiago, and a few years ago I was an altar server in the parish of Saint Martin of Porres, Chiclayo, and I had the blessing of personally meeting the man who is now Pope Leo XIV.
I started serving at Mass five years ago. We would serve at the altar, do the readings, and hold the bishop’s cassock, crozier and the Gospel. Several times I was asked to serve Masses for Bishop Robert Prevost, when he was in our diocese.
I recall him as being a very joyful person, very close, always willing to talk… He had a way of connecting with everybody, from the smallest to the biggest.
One day I arrived wearing a New York Knicks NBA jersey, and he came up and teased me, saying: “Don’t support them, support the Chicago Bulls, they’re better!” It was a lot of fun. He had this charisma, which made you feel part of something bigger.
I met him at least six times, including when Pope Francis visited Peru. His sermons always touched me. They were empathetic, dynamic, and the message was both clear and very close, which was a way of making one think.
He would also organise retreats for all the altar servers in the diocese, and in these he would treat us as equals, just like a shepherd among his flock.
Just to think that this bishop who walked among us, who celebrated Mass in our parish and joked with us, is now Pope Leon XIV… That’s something that fills me with pride, faith and hope.
Today, through my service as promoter of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need – ACN Peru, I feel more committed than ever. Being part of this mission is a great joy. To be able to speak out about the work of ACN in so many parts of Peru and of the world, helping seminarians, religious, missionaries and communities that suffer for their faith, has given me the opportunity to live out my vocation.
In my work I spread the message of the suffering Church, I touch hearts and connect with more people for this great cause. And I do all this with the same commitment and zeal as when I served at the altar for Bishop Robert Prevost.
As a Peruvian Catholic, as an altar server and as a member of ACN I give thanks to God for this grace. Peru is on its knees, and the world is in prayer! Long live Pope Leo XIV! Long live the Church!
