Peru’s new president pledges to acknowledge Church’s importance

On July 28, Peru’s new president, Keiko Fujimori, took an oath acknowledging “the importance of the Catholic Church in the cultural and moral formation of Peru” and announced a policy to improve the quality of life for Peruvians “from womb to tomb.”

Fujimori — elected in a tight race that required a runoff — took office during a formal session of the country’s Congress, where she received the presidential sash for the 2026–2031 term. She is the first woman elected by popular vote to lead the country.

The ceremony was attended by officials from various countries, including King Felipe VI of Spain and Presidents Javier Milei of Argentina, Rodrigo Paz of Bolivia, José Antonio Kast of Chile, Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, Santiago Peña of Paraguay, Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay, José Raúl Mulino of Panama, and Nasry Asfura of Honduras.

“I, Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi, swear by God, the homeland, and the holy Gospels to faithfully discharge the office of president of the republic that the nation has entrusted to me for the 2026–2031 term,” she said upon taking her oath of office .

The leader then swore to defend “this land, national sovereignty, liberty, democracy, and the independence…