Peru seeks to turn Pope Leo’s legacy into an international pilgrimage destination

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru is not only building anticipation among the faithful but is also opening up the possibility of establishing permanent pilgrimage routes and showcasing the countryʼs rich spiritual heritage, which could boost local economies, according to national and international tourism experts.

That was one of the key points presented at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism held Aug. 3 and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR, by its Spanish acronym) and the World Religious Tourism Network, where experts agreed that the Holy Fatherʼs apostolic journey, scheduled for Nov. 11–17, could serve as a starting point.

Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, gives a presentation at the First Specialized Conference on Religious Tourism, held on Aug. 3, 2026, and organized by the National Chamber of Tourism of Peru (CANATUR) and the World Religious Tourism Network. | Credit: Diego Lopez Marina/EWTN News

Speaking to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Adrián Lomello, the World Religious Tourism Network’s director for the Americas, stated that “Peruʼs…