Peru's government declared compensable non-working days between November 11 and 16, 2026 in Lima, Callao and six departments for Pope Leo XIV's visit, through Supreme Decree 020-2026-TR published on October 23 in El Peruano ([MTPE](https://www.gob.pe/institucion/mtpe/noticias/1461346-gobierno-establece-dias-no-laborables-compensables-por-la-visita-del-papa-leon-xiv-al-peru)). They are not public holidays: unworked hours must be made up, and in the private sector the measure only applies if employers and workers agree.
The pontiff, who holds Peruvian nationality, will be in the country from November 11 to 16, with events in Lima, Callao, Chiclayo, Santa Cruz de Succhabamba (Cajamarca), Cusco and Pucallpa. Here are the dates by region, the hours and what to know.
Non-working days for Pope Leo XIV's visit, region by region
| Department | Non-working dates | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Lima (entire department) | Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November, from 1:00 p.m.; Monday 16, all day | Public and private |
| Constitutional Province of Callao | Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12, from 1:00 p.m.; Monday 16, all day | Public and private |
| Cajamarca | Friday 13 and Saturday 14, all day | Public and private |
| La Libertad | Friday 13 and Saturday 14, all day | Public and private |
| Lambayeque | Friday 13 and Saturday 14, all day | Public and private |
| Piura | Friday 13 and Saturday 14, all day | Public and private |
| Cusco | Sunday 15, all day | Private only |
| Ucayali | Sunday 15, all day | Private only |
Source: Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion and the text of Supreme Decree 020-2026-TR published by LP Derecho. In Lima and Callao, November 11 and 12 are non-working from 1:00 p.m. to midnight.
How the hours of non-working days are made up
- Public sector: unworked hours are made up within the following ten days or whenever the head of each agency decides.
- Private sector: companies can apply the measure only with a prior agreement between employer and workers; without agreement, the employer decides. The agreement must set how hours are made up.
- Essential services: health, cleaning, water, electricity, fuel, transport, communications, security and financial services, among others, can decide which positions keep working.
- Tax deadlines: for tax purposes, non-working days remain business days, so deadlines do not change.
Sources: MTPE and Andina. The ministry says only the time actually not worked must be made up. The decree is signed by President Keiko Fujimori, Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and Labor Minister Juan Sheput.
Itinerary of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru
| Day | City | Main events |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 11 | Callao and Lima | Arrival at the Callao Naval Air Base (5:30 p.m.); visit to the president at Government Palace; meeting with authorities at the Gran Teatro Nacional |
| Thursday 12 | Lima | Meeting with bishops; Midday Prayer at Lima Cathedral; vigil with young people at Estadio Monumental (6:00 p.m.) |
| Friday 13 | Chiclayo | Mass on the Pampas de Pimentel esplanade; meeting with university students |
| Saturday 14 | Chiclayo and Santa Cruz de Succhabamba | Crowning of the Immaculate Virgin at the cathedral; Mass in Succhabamba (Cajamarca); prayer for the Jubilee Year of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo |
| Sunday 15 | Cusco and Pucallpa | Meeting at Saqsaywaman and Angelus in Cusco; Mass at the Ucayali Regional Sports Village |
| Monday 16 | Lima and Callao | Visit to a home for the elderly; Mass at Las Palmas Air Base; farewell and departure for Rome (1:45 p.m.) |
Source: official Vatican program as reported by Gestión. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the dates after doubts raised by the pontiff's medical recovery, according to Infobae. Times may change: check announcements by the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.
How many people are expected during Pope Leo XIV's visit
The labor ministry expects more than one million people in Lambayeque and attendance of 850,000 in Cusco. Andina, however, reported that "more than 130,000 faithful" will welcome the pope in Cusco. The sources do not explain the difference between the two figures. The decree says the non-working days aim to make attendance easier and allow "safe and orderly movement of citizens".
Public holiday or non-working day: the difference
| Public holiday | Compensable non-working day | |
|---|---|---|
| Do people work? | No | Depends on the agreement with the employer (private sector) |
| Are hours made up? | No | Yes |
| Is it a business day for tax purposes? | No | Yes |
| Who sets it? | The law | A supreme decree for specific dates |
November's non-working days coincide with the deadline for the CTS severance deposit in mid-month (see November's CTS). To plan next year, see Peru's 2027 public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Which days are non-working for the pope's visit?
In Lima and Callao, November 11 and 12 from 1:00 p.m. and all day on the 16th; in Cajamarca, La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura, the 13th and 14th; in Cusco and Ucayali, the 15th, for the private sector only.
Are the non-working days public holidays?
No. They are compensable non-working days: unworked hours are made up later.
Does my company have to give me the day off?
Not automatically. In the private sector an agreement between employer and workers is required; without it, the employer decides.
When does Pope Leo XIV arrive in Peru?
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Callao Naval Air Base. He leaves for Rome on Monday the 16th.
Which rule declares the non-working days?
Supreme Decree 020-2026-TR, published in El Peruano on October 23, 2026.
