Peruvian priest serving the St. Cloud Diocese has connection to Holy Father

By Deb Forstner for The Central Minnesota Catholic

At the beginning of the homily at a school Mass May 16 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in Fergus Falls, celebrant Father Lucho Palomino held up a picture and asked the students, “Do you know who this guy is?”

Many of the children’s hands went up in the air with the answer, “Pope Leo!”  The students, and those present were in for a surprising treat as they learned that Father Palomino was once a student of the newly named Pope Leo XIV.

Even though he has Chicago roots, Pope Leo served in Chulucanas, Peru, in 1985 as parochial vicar and chancellor of that diocese. Chulucanas is the hometown of Father Palomino’s parents. The then-Father Robert Prevost was referred to locally as “Padre Roberto.”

Father Palomino became familiar with him during his seven years in formation for the priesthood, as Padre Roberto became one of his seminary professors at San Carlos and San Marcelo Seminary in Trujillo, Peru. Father Prevost was Palomino’s teacher in canon law and patristics, subjects for which there were several levels of study.

Palomino recalled that, as a priest and professor, Father Prevost was kind and patient. When there was a mistake, he could appreciate it with humor and would correct it in a good way.

Father Palomino added that it was easy to be friends with Father Prevost. He described him as a little quiet and shy and a very good listener. Sometimes when students brought questions, Father Prevost would say he would look into it and explain more later. Father Palomino appreciated his humility and preparation.

For Father Palomino, seminary was a good time of life. Students and professors would have theological discussions together at coffee shops, and it felt like professors were their fathers. It was a life of study, prayer, work on the farm and cleaning the building. There was also fun playing many sports. While Father Prevost is known for being skilled at tennis, Father Palomino never played a tennis match with him, as soccer was his preferred sport.

Father Palomino said that he enjoyed his relationships with other Augustinian students, the order to which Pope Leo belongs. He noted that their charism seemed to emphasize both head and heart. Father Prevost, other professors, and the seminarians would be in charge of bringing the sacraments out to some of the towns in the Archdiocese of Trujillo, which gave him valuable experience in ministry.

Next, Father Prevost became bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, and a serious flood occurred there in 2017. Bishop Prevost and the Catholic Church helped people with their needs at that time. Additionally, Father Palomino’s parents were affected by that flood and lost their home, including all the pictures that had been taken from seminary days.

Father Palomino described his parents as very happy that Bishop Prevost was selected as the new pope and said Peruvians are still celebrating. With half of Pope Leo’s life served in Peru, his Peruvian citizenship and speaking Spanish in his opening remarks on the balcony, Father Palomino felt the Holy Father was letting those in Peru know that, “We are in his heart.”

The last time Father Palomino saw his teacher was at a reunion in Peru four years ago and remembered how he talked about how the Church can be closer to the people, like Pope Francis taught.

In looking back, Father Palomino noted that the now pope was truly a pastor involved in Peruvian lives. He would get around by walking, riding horses and driving dirty and bumpy roads.

Father Palomino added that Pope Leo represents hope for the Church and world, for making us one family.

“He is good for everyone,” Father Palomino said, “with a good heart for people suffering in any way.”