On the tenth anniversary of their beatification, Pope Leo XIV highlights the enduring witness of the Martyrs of Chimbote as a model of communion and missionary dedication.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV has issued a message to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the beatification of the Martyrs of Chimbote, Blessed Michał Tomaszek, Zbigniew Strzałkowski, and Alessandro Dordi, highlighting their enduring witness of unity, mission, and pastoral charity.
Addressing the Church in Chimbote and all who join in thanksgiving, the Pope expressed gratitude for the universal devotion that continues to surround the three missionary priests, whose lives and deaths remain a source of fidelity for the Church in Peru, Poland, Italy, and beyond.
A unified testimony to the Gospel
In his message, the Holy Father recalled how the three priests immersed themselves in the daily life of the communities they served, offering the sacraments, strengthening catechesis, and supporting works of charity amid contexts marked by poverty and violence.
Their decision to remain with their people during a time of grave danger culminated in their 1991 killing “in hatred of the faith.” Pope Leo XIV noted that their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and spiritual traditions did not divide them, but instead converged into a unified testimony to the Gospel, rooted in a shared love for the most vulnerable.
A precious legacy
Reflecting on their legacy, the Pope underscored the relevance of the Martyrs of Chimbote for the Church’s challenges today.
He noted that their lives point toward the communion that arises when differences are united in Christ, countering the fragmentation that can arise from polarised views or sterile debates. Their martyrdom, he said, demonstrates the depth of ecclesial communion and the meaning of mission grounded in fidelity to Christ and service to His people.
The Pope also issued a call to renewed missionary commitment. He encouraged local communities in Chimbote to continue the work that the martyrs began, sustaining faith amid hardship and persevering in service to the poor.
He reminded the faithful that Christian mission remains fruitful when Christ is the centre of choices and priorities, and he invited the clergy, especially younger priests, to consider offering themselves as fidei donum missionaries.
Pope Leo also extended a special appeal to young people worldwide, urging them not to fear God’s call and pointing to the youthful example of the two Polish friars, who embraced their vocations with generosity despite their short years of ministry.
The Martyrs of Chimbote
The Martyrs of Chimbote are three Catholic priests – Polish Franciscans Michał Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzałkowski, and Italian diocesan priest Alessandro Dordi – who were killed by revolutionary militants in 1991 in Peru. They served in the regions of Pariacoto and the Santa Valley during a period of intense violence linked to the Maoist insurgent group Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso). Because they remained with their communities despite threats, they were targeted and executed for their religious mission. The Church recognised their deaths as martyrdom “in hatred of the faith,” and they were beatified in 2015. Their witness has become a symbol of pastoral dedication and missionary courage.
