By — Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press By — Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press By — Astrid Suárez, Associated Press Astrid Suárez, Associated Press By — Franklin Briceno, Associated Press Franklin Briceno, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/after-emotional-return-pope-leo-denounces-machismo-in-peru-and-demands-respect-for-women Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter After emotional return, Pope Leo denounces 'machismo' in Peru and demands respect for women World Nov 12, 2026 5:06 PM EST LIMA, Peru (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced widespread "machismo" and violence against women in Peru, demanding that women be protected and respected as he set out marching orders for his beloved Peruvian church and people. After his emotional homecoming Wednesday, the Peruvian pope got down to business and turned to the challenges facing a church and country he knows well. READ MORE: Pope visits care home in Argentina for people with disabilities, renewing call to protect the vulnerable He called on the influential Catholic hierarchy to be models of unity and communion, and instructed Peruvian bishops to…
After emotional return, Pope Leo denounces 'machismo' in Peru and demands respect for women
In short
Addressing an audience in Lima's Plaza Mayor, the pontiff declared that gender-based violence violates Christian teachings on equality, pointing out the heightened burdens placed on poor, Indigenous, and Afro-Peruvian women. Official data from Peru's National Institute of Statistics and Informatics reveals that 1,261 femicide victims were recorded between 2016 and 2024. Beyond societal abuses, he instructed Peruvian bishops to prioritize unity and respond directly to victims of clergy sexual abuse with truth and justice. The 71-year-old leader appeared vigorous throughout the trip, demonstrating his physical recovery following lung cancer surgery last month.
Key points
- Gender-based violence and machismo must be rejected because they directly violate Christi…: Gender-based violence and machismo must be rejected because they directly violate Christian principles of equal human dignity.
- Peruvian Catholic bishops were strictly instructed to pursue truth and justice when addre…: Peruvian Catholic bishops were strictly instructed to pursue truth and justice when addressing victims of clergy sexual abuse.
- The 71-year-old pontiff demonstrated strong physical resilience during his journey despit…: The 71-year-old pontiff demonstrated strong physical resilience during his journey despite having undergone lung cancer surgery last month.