25-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Peru's 17th-century miracle hopes for Vatican recognition under Pope Leo
In the small town of Eten, Peru, people gather every year to celebrate a 17th-century miracle involving images of the child Jesus. This event has not been recognised by the Vatican.
But the recent election of Pope Leo , who served as a missionary in Peru for years, has rekindled hopes of official recognition.
It was in an ancient Peruvian village founded by the Spanish in the 16th century that the so-called Eucharistic Miracle of Eten was said to have taken place.
In 1649, a picture of a young Jesus with three small hearts was said to have appeared to many people during a Catholic ceremony where bread and wine are blessed to represent Christ's body and blood.
A second image reportedly appeared weeks later during another festival. The events inspired a passionate local devotion that continues today.
Locals believe official recognition of the miracle could attract more devotees.
