Peru Unveils World’s Tallest Statue of Pope Leo XIV Ahead of Papal Visit
A colossal 14-meter-tall statue of Pope Leo XIV, featuring wide outstretched arms, was installed on Friday in a seaside public park along Peru's Pacific coast.
Standing on a two-meter pedestal, the 12-meter figure is recognized as the largest monument in the world dedicated to the Pontiff. Its installation comes just days before his official visit to Peru, scheduled for November 11–16.
The massive sculpture was created in under two months by a 14-person team led by artists Rafael Gutiérrez and Deyvi Wong, and was funded through a donation by Caja Huancayo. Transported in segments under the cover of night, the body, bust, and arms were assembled on-site using heavy cranes.
Local leadership spearheaded the initiative to honor Robert Prevost’s humanitarian efforts as apostolic administrator during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he coordinated critical food relief from Chiclayo, roughly 600 kilometers to the north.
Beyond its spiritual homage, officials expect the monument to deepen Catholic devotion across the country while serving as a major draw for national and international tourism.