Pope Leo blesses a mosaic of Our Lady and a statue of Saint Rose of Lima in the Vatican Gardens

An invitation to holiness

To remember the greatness of the vocation to which God calls us—namely, the universal vocation to holiness—and to be a witness and an example of this holiness in today’s world. This was the invitation addressed by Pope Leo XIV to those taking part in the blessing of a mosaic dedicated to the Virgin Mary and of a statue of Saint Rose of Lima, on Saturday morning, January 31, along the Pius XI walkway in the Vatican Gardens.

Participating were the bishops of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, who were in Rome for their Ad Limina visit. The President of the Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Carlos Enrique García Camader, offered a brief greeting to the Pope. Also speaking were Fr. Guillermo Inca Pereda, Deputy Secretary General of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, a representative of the artisans who created the works, and the new Ambassador of Peru to the Holy See, H.E. Mr. Jorge Fernando Ponce San Román.

Among those present were Cardinal Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio, Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, numerous bishops and Peruvian men and women religious residing in Rome.

The Governorate was represented by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and by Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General.

The two works were donated by the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and created by eight young artists from the Peruvian Andes, members of the Familia de Artesanos Don Bosco. In particular, the author of the Marian mosaic is Lenin Álvarez, while the statue was carved by Edwin Morales in white travertine from Huancayo. It recalls the saint’s mystical experience: she is depicted contemplating the Child Jesus in her arms, who asks her to become his bride.

The mosaic and the statue are not merely two artistic works that now adorn the Vatican Gardens, but a testimony to the affection and devotion of the Peruvian people toward Pope Leo, for whom they feel a special bond.