Fr Edgard Rimaycuna, a 36-year-old priest from Chiclayo, Peru, has been appointed as the personal secretary to Pope Leo XIV. A former student of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, Fr Rimaycuna studied there in 2017 as part of the priestly community of ongoing formation. During his time in Rome, he specialised in Scripture Studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute.
Fr Rimaycuna’s connection to the College is part of a broader relationship between the Pontifical Irish College and Cardinal Robert Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – who served as Bishop of the same Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. Speaking to Virgin Media TV following the Papal conclave last week, Eoin McCormack, lay coordinator at the Irish College, noted that the College has a long-standing relationship with Cardinal Prevost, having sent four students as members of the ongoing formation community of priests – Fr Rimaycuna amongst them.
Since 2023, Fr Rimaycuna has served as secretary to Cardinal Prevost at the Dicastery for Bishops. In his new role, he becomes one of the Pope’s closest collaborators, responsible for managing the Holy Father’s schedule and assisting with daily duties at the heart of the Vatican.
Fr Rimaycuna began his journey toward priesthood at the Mayor Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo Seminary in Peru before his studies in Rome. His appointment as personal secretary marks the beginning of a new chapter in the close relationship between the Irish College and the new Pope.
