Peru loses second bishop in two days as Pope Leo's visit nears

Bishop Jorge Pedro Carrión Pavlich died at age 76 after being hospitalized at a clinic in Lima, the Peruvian bishops' conference reported. His death was announced during a Mass at the Shrine of the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno on Sunday, Nov. 1.

The death of the Bishop of Puno follows the death of Archbishop Richard Daniel Alarcón Urrutia of Cusco, who died Oct. 30 at age 74 after a battle with cancer. Archbishop Alarcón had been assisting with preparations for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cusco on Nov. 15. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Peru from Nov. 11 to Nov. 16, though Puno is not included in the itinerary.

Bishop Carrión served as a priest for 50 years and as a bishop for more than 26 years. He was appointed a bishop by Pope John Paul II in May 2000 and led the Diocese of Puno for over 24 years. He previously served as the assistant secretary of the Peruvian bishops' conference.