Pope Leo to be welcomed in Peru with giant statue of himself

LIMA, Peru (CBS, KYMA) - Peruvian sculptors are crafting a 14-meter-high statue of Pope Leo XIV ahead of his November visit to the South American nation.

The monument, which will be Peru's tallest sculpture dedicated to a pontiff, will stand in the future Gaelito Children's Park in Callao, near Lima's Costa Verde coastal highway.

Sculptor Rafael Gutierrez Quispe said his team was working on different aspects of the project, from modeling the clay features to assembling the metal structure.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Prevost, is scheduled to visit Peru from November 11-16.

Foreign Minister Carlos Espa said two popemobiles had been commissioned to facilitate the pontiff's movements and keep him close to the public.

Espa also warned that Peru faces an unprecedented El Niño weather phenomenon and said the papal visit would help unite Peruvians ahead of the challenge.