Peru Opens the International Press Center for the Holy Father’s Visit
Peru opens the International Press Center for the visit of Leo XIV. More than 2,400 journalists will cover the journey, and the foreign minister quotes Saint Augustine.
More than 2,400 accredited journalists will cover Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Peru. During the opening of the International Press Center in Lima, Foreign Minister Carlos Espá recalled Saint Augustine’s words on unity: “One mind and one heart.”
The apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Peru will feature extensive media coverage. This Wednesday, November 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs opened the International Press Center, located at the Swissôtel in Lima’s San Isidro district, which will serve as an encounter point for national and international journalists covering the events of the papal journey.
The ceremony was presided over by Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá, with the participation of Bishop Guillermo Inca Pereda, national coordinator of the apostolic visit, and Bishop Carlos García Camader, president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.
According to figures provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 2,400 accredited journalists, representing 309 media outlets across 28 countries, will take part in the coverage. Reports on the 20 scheduled official events will be broadcast from this center and other designated spaces across various cities.
Saint Augustine, Present at the Opening
One of the ceremony’s most memorable moments came when Foreign Minister Carlos Espá drew upon the thought of Saint Augustine to express the spirit of collaboration accompanying the Holy Father’s visit.
“One mind and one heart,” the minister recalled, evoking one of the foundational principles of Augustinian spirituality.
The reference holds special significance during the journey of Leo XIV, the first Augustinian pope in history. Inspired by the Acts of the Apostles and embraced by Saint Augustine at the beginning of his Rule, the phrase reminds us that communion is not simply about working together, but about sharing the same horizon.
On this occasion, the words of the saint of Hippo served to highlight the collaboration among the Peruvian government, the Church, and the media.
Communicating a Visit That Unites an Entire Country
During his speech, the foreign minister emphasized that the International Press Center reflects the Peruvian state’s commitment to freedom of information and will allow the world to experience the country’s diversity, faith, and unity.
He also spoke about the profound meaning of Leo XIV’s visit, as he returns to a land closely tied to his pastoral and missionary journey.
“It is the Holy Father’s return to familiar ground, a friend coming home,” Espá said.
The opening marks another step in preparing for a visit that mobilizes thousands of professionals and will be followed across many countries.
Here at Agustinos con el Papa, a communication project of the Augustinian family, we will continue to accompany this apostolic journey, convinced that communicating also means building communion and bringing people closer to a shared experience of faith and hope.