Boluarte allowed to attend Leo XIV’s enthronement

The new pontiff holds Peruvian citizenship, unlike the Argentine Pope Francis, whose funeral Boluarte was kept from attending

Peru’s one-house Congress approved President Dina Boluarte’s request to travel to the Vatican from May 16-19, 2025, to attend the enthronement ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, with 68 votes in favor, 37 against, and 2 abstentions.

The approval, supported mainly by Fuerza Popular and other parties, sparked criticism due to rising crime in Peru, with opponents arguing the president should stay to address the security crisis.

Boluarte invited Congress Speaker Eduardo Salhuana and Chief Justice Janet Tello to join the delegation, but the latter declined, citing prior engagements.

Critics, including Socialist Party member Jaime Quito, called the trip an attempt to improve Boluarte’s image. The new Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, holds Peruvian citizenship, which Boluarte cited as a reason for state representation. “Mr. Speaker, for the reasons expressed, Peru must have state representation. For this reason, from the Presidency of the Republic, we have sent the letter of invitation to you to be part of the national delegation, as well as to the president of the PJ. In such a way that the three branches of government are present at this important ceremony,” Boluarte’s request to Congress noted. She will manage presidential duties remotely during her absence.

Wednesday’s decision came days after Boluarte was not allowed on April 24 to attend Pope Francis’ funeral.