Elder Renlund Reunites with Archbishop Del Rio in Peru

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Monsignor Javier Del Río Alba, archbishop of Arequipa. During their meeting, Elder Renlund reflected on a previous visit to Arequipa and an earlier meeting with Monsignor Del Río, with whom he shares a friendship and deep respect for the archbishop’s humanitarian work in the city.

“He is a great friend to me and to the Church, helping us in many ways, and he is a great example of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is a joy for me that he has taken time to visit me today,” Elder Renlund said.

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Also present were Elder Renlund’s wife, Ruth, and Elder Sandino Román of the South America Northwest Area Presidency and his wife, Lupita.

The Church of Jesus Christ has carried out various humanitarian aid projects in Arequipa in collaboration with Caritas, assisting many low-income families by establishing schools and programs to promote self-reliance and skill development.

Monsignor Del Río said of the reunion, “It has been a great joy to be here with him and his wife and to share such a pleasant moment of fraternity. We are brothers, and for me, being with them is truly to feel that love of God that is manifested among brothers.”

He continued, “We have worked together and cooperated for several years now between the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ, and these meetings strengthen our mutual efforts on behalf of those most in need.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Elder Renlund presented Monsignor Del Río with a framed copy of “The Living Christ.”

In 2019, the Interreligious Council of Peru – Religions for Peace, of which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a part, awarded Del Río the 2019 Family Values Award in recognition of his efforts to defend family values.