With Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Peru just hours away—today, Wednesday, November 11—thousands of the faithful are preparing to welcome him in cities across the northern, central, and eastern regions of the country. Joining them, various Generation Z collectives have announced a major peaceful march, set to gather today at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Palace of Justice in downtown Lima.
“Peru deserves to be heard!” declare the various Gen Z groups. Recognizing the Pope’s critical perspective and spirit of solidarity, they have decided to ensure their voices reach Pope Leo XIV regarding a range of social demands—an agenda running parallel to the one organized by the Catholic Church and the Peruvian government.
Advocating for Social Demands
The peaceful march—with preliminary gatherings beginning at 1:00 p.m. at various locations across the city—aims to bring a set of social demands championed by Generation Z to the Pope’s attention. These include opposition to rising fuel prices and the cost of living, the defense of communities threatened by the “Mega El Niño” weather phenomenon, and a stand against the sale of forests that have been set ablaze by criminal hands.
The organizers have taken a firm stance “against violence, corruption, extortion, and contract killings.” They express solidarity with the victims and families of those killed during the administration of Dina Boluarte, and support the demands of transport workers (who are primary targets of contract killings), employees under the CAS (Administrative Service Contract) system, teachers, medical professionals, and pensioners.
Furthermore, among their political demands, the protesters are calling for “an amnesty and the release of President Pedro Castillo,” as well as the investigation, removal from office, and imprisonment of those senators and deputies who have “betrayed the people.” As of press time, various Generation Z groups were finalizing preparations for a peaceful march. “We invite all leaders and friends to gather and march. Let us hold a civic action to raise our voices so that they may be heard by Pope Leo XIV, who is well-acquainted with our reality,” the organizers stated.
