Pope Leo XIV Denounces “Machismo” and Violence Against Women in Lima, Peru

Pope Leo XIV, who is 71, returned to Peru on Wednesday after an emotional homecoming. Earlier, he had undergone lung cancer surgery the previous month. Report 2 notes that the pope is Peruvian and that he turned to the challenges facing the country after his return.

On Thursday, Leo denounced what he called widespread “machismo” and violence against women in Peru. Both reports say he demanded that women be protected and respected. One report says about 40,000 people gathered in Lima’s Plaza Mayor to serenade the pope.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, Peru recorded 1,261 femicide victims between 2016 and 2024. During that period, the number of women killed because of their gender rose by 44%.

Leo said poor, Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian women are doubly penalized, and he called for all women to be valued, protected and respected, a charge that speaks for those with the least protection (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Report 1 says Leo instructed Peruvian bishops to accompany their flocks and to respond to victims of clergy sexual abuse with truth and justice. Report 2 describes the pope’s remarks as setting out marching orders for the Peruvian church and people. Report 2 does not give the specific instructions reported by Report 1, and the reports do not contradict each other on the core remarks.