A centuries-old cross in Tumbes, Peru, inspires a campaign for a papal blessing as Father Juan Carlos Silva seeks recognition of its legacy.
Newsroom (09/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) What began as a personal journey of rediscovery has evolved into a broader mission to bring international attention to one of Peru’s most significant religious symbols. Father Juan Carlos Silva Yacila, HSA, a native of Peru’s Tumbes region and parish priest of San Leonardo Parish in Porto Maurizio, near Rome, is leading a heartfelt effort to secure a blessing from Pope Leo XIV for the historic Cross of Evangelization, also known as the Cross of Christianity or the Cross of the Conquest.
For Father Silva, the initiative is about far more than honoring an ancient relic. It is an effort to highlight a powerful symbol of faith, identity, and historical memory that has been safeguarded by the people of Tumbes for nearly five centuries.
A Personal Encounter Sparks a Mission
The priest’s campaign emerged from a deeply personal experience. After encountering the Cross in his homeland, Father Silva spent time in prayer before the relic, reflecting on the people of Tumbes and their future.
“I had the grace to touch the Cross, to pray before it and contemplate it,” he said, recalling how he prayed for families, children, young people, the elderly, workers, fishermen, farmers, professionals, and all those striving to build a more just and fraternal society.
That moment also raised a question that continues to guide his efforts: how can the world come to know a relic that has remained largely hidden from public awareness despite its profound historical and spiritual significance?
According to the priest, many residents of Tumbes are still unaware of the Cross and its place in the religious history of Peru. He believes the time has come to rediscover its meaning and ensure that new generations understand its legacy.
A Symbol Linked to the Beginning of Evangelization
The Cross holds a special place in the tradition of Tumbes. Historical accounts and local oral tradition associate it with the arrival of Francisco Pizarro and his expedition in 1532, following clashes in the estuary of La Chepa, today known as Playa Hermosa, in an episode remembered as the Battle of the Mangroves.
According to this longstanding tradition, a Christian cross was erected in what is now the district of La Cruz, marking one of the earliest visible signs of Christianity in the territory of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca Empire.
For many believers, the relic represents the beginning of evangelization in Peru and South America, giving it a significance that extends far beyond regional boundaries.
A Remarkable Journey Across Peru
The Cross remained for centuries at Buenaventura Hill in the present-day district of La Cruz, where tradition says it was originally placed.
Its story changed in 1842 when authorities moved it to the Church of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes in Piura in an effort to protect it from damage caused by humidity and harsh weather conditions.
The relic’s journey continued in 1907. During an official visit to Tumbes, then-President José Pardo y Barreda learned of its existence and ordered its transfer to Lima’s National Museum of History, where it remained under state custody.
For nearly 150 years, the Cross stood far from the community that regarded it as a vital part of its cultural and spiritual identity.
Following sustained efforts by local authorities and representatives from Tumbes, the Ministry of Education eventually authorized its return. On August 18, 1990, the Cross finally came home, ending 148 years of absence and reuniting with generations of faithful who had fought to preserve its connection to the region.
Today, the relic is housed in the “Víctor Andrés Belaúnde” Municipal Library in La Cruz, where it remains accessible to pilgrims, researchers, and visitors.
A Message Delivered to Pope Leo XIV
Determined to bring greater visibility to the Cross, Father Silva took advantage of a meeting with Pope Leo XIV following a general audience on June 24. During the encounter, he presented the pontiff with a T-shirt featuring an illustration of the Cross of the Conquest created by his niece, Valeria Stigler Silva.
The gesture carried deep emotional significance.
“I felt like I was carrying my entire people in my hands,” the priest said.
He then delivered a simple but powerful request: “Holy Father, do not forget the Cross of the Conquest of Tumbes; your children await your blessing.”
According to Father Silva, Pope Leo XIV listened attentively, a response the priest interpreted as a sign of closeness and encouragement.
Hopes for a Future Papal Blessing
While the Vatican has not officially confirmed a visit by Pope Leo XIV to Peru, reports have suggested the possibility of a trip to the country in November.
Should such a visit take place, the people of Tumbes hope the Pope will personally bless the Cross, elevating awareness of its history and spiritual importance. If travel to Tumbes is not included in the itinerary, Father Silva has proposed transporting the relic to one of the papal celebrations in northern Peru so it can still receive the pontiff’s blessing.
Nearly five centuries after it first accompanied the arrival of Christianity in these lands, the Cross of the Conquest continues to inspire devotion among the people of Tumbes. More than a historical artifact, it remains a living symbol of faith, identity, and hope—one that many now dream will receive a blessing from the Pope who, they believe, understands Peru’s reality more closely than any of his predecessors.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Prensa
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