Elderly residents in Peru prepare artistic welcome for Pope Leo XIV

Elderly participants of the Pensión 65 program in the Lambayeque region of Peru are preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV with art, music, and personal memories.

The Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (Midis) supports these seniors through the Saberes Productivos initiative, which helps older people showcase and sell their traditional skills and talents at local fairs. One participant, 80-year-old Víctor Olivos Núñez, spent time painting a portrait of the Pope surrounded by children.

The painting stands over 1.5 meters tall. Olivos Núñez, who began painting as a child and studied the techniques of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, hopes to present the artwork to the Pope in person. He currently spends much of his time caring for his sick brother. In the town of Ferreñafe, sisters Elizabeth Torres Carranza, 83, and Corina Torres Carranza, 82, are also preparing for the visit.

They previously met the Pope when he served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo. Because of their age, the sisters cannot attend all the Pope's activities, so they prepared songs to express their affection and welcome him to the region.