Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno as Archbishop of Huancayo on 12 February 2024, the prelate's 80th birthday. A member of the Society of Jesus since 1971, he maintained a career spanning episcopal service, regional church administration, and environmental activism, culminating in his elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2018.
Early Formation and Ministry
Born in Lima on 12 February 1944, Barreto attended Colegio de la Inmaculada before entering the Jesuit novitiate. He pursued philosophical studies at the Jesuit faculty in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, later completing his theological training in Lima. On 18 December 1971, he received ordination as a priest. He completed his final religious vows as a Jesuit on 3 October 1976.
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Pope John Paul II appointed Barreto titular bishop of Acufida and Apostolic Administrator of Jaén on 21 November 2001. His consecration as a bishop occurred on 1 January 2002. He served as a vicar apostolic until 2004. On 17 July 2004, John Paul II named him the Archbishop of Huancayo, an office he assumed on 5 September 2004, and held until his retirement in 2024.
Regional Governance and Environmental Advocacy
Barreto expanded his influence beyond local diocesan duties by leading the Justice and Peace Section of the Latin American Bishops' Conference. His focus included the environmental consequences of the mining industry, specifically in La Oroya. He served as vice president of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network and participated in the organizing committee for the Pan-Amazon Synod of Bishops. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Cardinalate and Church Reform
On 28 June 2018, Pope Francis elevated Barreto to the rank of Cardinal-Priest, assigning him the titular church of Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense. During the 2019 Synod of Bishops, Barreto argued for a pastoral church focused on solidarity and ecological concerns, contrasting this vision with a purely doctrinal approach. He remains a member of the Catholic Church hierarchy.
Fast facts
- Born: 12 February 1944, Lima
- Ordained Priest: 18 December 1971
- Consecrated Bishop: 1 January 2002
- Archbishop of Huancayo: 2004-2024
- Elevated to Cardinal: 28 June 2018
- Religious Order: Society of Jesus
Questions readers ask
What official positions did Barreto hold within the Catholic Church?
He served as vicar apostolic, titular bishop, and Archbishop of Huancayo, eventually becoming a cardinal.
Which environmental issues did Barreto address?
He focused on the impact of the mining industry in La Oroya and participated in the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network.
