EWTN will premiere a one-hour documentary titled "Pope Leo's Peru" on May 1. Produced by EWTN News, the program will offer an in-depth look at the years Pope Leo XIV served as a missionary in the South American country.
Jonathan Liedl, EWTN News correspondent and managing editor of the National Catholic Register, takes viewers to northern Peru to take a look at the communities the Holy Father served. These cities include Chulucanas, where the then-young priest had his first missionary experience; the city of Trujillo, where he grew as a pastor; and the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop.
Through on-location reporting, interviews, and local testimonies, the documentary highlights the impact of the pope's ministry among the many parish communities and those on the margins and captures the perspectives of those who knew him best during those years.
"The word I heard over and over from Peruvians who had known Pope Leo is that he was 'un amigo' — a friend," Liedl said in a press release. "From soup kitchen volunteers to cathedral rectors, former altar servers to fellow bishops, Pope Leo drew close and listened to everyone, leading others more deeply to Christ in the process."
The documentary also depicts a portrait of a local Church that helped form a global shepherd, providing context for Pope Leo XIV's priorities as he leads the universal Church today.
"As we near the one-year anniversary of Pope Leo XIV's election, this news special helps us reflect on the experiences that he brings into his papacy," said Montse Alvarado, president of EWTN News. "From his emphasis on the poor to his focus on healing divided communities, it's clear that the good work he began in Peru has carried over to how he now leads us all from Rome. Understanding the Holy Father's heart is the essence of this report."
"Pope Leo's Peru" will air on EWTN on May 1 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on EWTNNews.com and the EWTN News YouTube channel.
