RELIGIOUS FIGURES from Peru

Top 8

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Peruvian Religious Figures of all time. This list of famous Peruvian Religious Figures is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity.

1. Manco Cápac (1250 - 1169)

With an HPI of 68.37, Manco Cápac is the most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 37 different languages on wikipedia.

Manco Cápac (before c. 1200 – c. 1230; Quechua: Manqu Qhapaq, "the royal founder"), also known as Manco Inca and Ayar Manco, was, according to some historians, the first governor and founder of the Inca civilization in Cusco, possibly in the early 13th century. He is also a main figure of Inca mythology, being the protagonist of the two best known legends about the origin of the Inca, both of them connecting him to the foundation of Cusco. His main wife was his older sister, Mama Uqllu, also the mother of his son and successor Sinchi Ruq'a. Even though his figure is mentioned in several chronicles, his actual existence remains uncertain.

2. Rose of Lima (1586 - 1617)

With an HPI of 67.50, Rose of Lima is the 2nd most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  Her biography has been translated into 46 different languages.

Rose of Lima, TOSD (born Isabel Flores de Oliva; 20 April 1586 – 24 August 1617) (Latin: Rosa Limana, Spanish: Rosa de Lima) was a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic in Lima, Peru, Spanish Empire, who became known for both her life of severe penance and her care of the poverty stricken of the city through her own private efforts. Rose of Lima was born to a noble family and is the patron saint of embroidery, gardening and cultivation of blooming flowers. She was the first person born in the Americas to be canonized as a saint. As a saint, Rose of Lima has been designated as a co-patroness of the Philippines along with Pudentiana; both saints were moved to second-class patronage in September 1942 by Pope Pius XII, but Rose remains the primary patroness of Peru and of the local people of Latin America. Her image is featured on the highest denomination banknote of Peru.

3. Martin de Porres (1579 - 1639)

With an HPI of 64.04, Martin de Porres is the 3rd most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 38 different languages.

Martín de Porres Velázquez (9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639) was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, all those seeking racial harmony, and animals. He was noted for his work on behalf of the poor, establishing an orphanage and a children's hospital. He maintained an austere lifestyle, which included fasting and abstaining from meat. Among the many miracles attributed to him were those of levitation, bilocation, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and an ability to communicate with animals.

4. Sinchi Roca (1230 - 1260)

With an HPI of 57.97, Sinchi Roca is the 4th most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 29 different languages.

Sinchi Roca, Sinchi Rocca, Cinchi Roca (in Hispanicized spellings), Sinchi Ruq'a or Sinchi Ruq'a Inka (Quechua for "valorous generous Inca") (c. 1230 – c. 1260) was the second Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco (beginning around 1230 CE, though as early as 1105 CE according to some) and a member of the Hurin dynasty (first dynasty).

5. Mayta Cápac (1290 - 1320)

With an HPI of 56.20, Mayta Cápac is the 5th most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 27 different languages.

Mayta Qhapaq (Quechua Mayta Qhapaq Inka) (c. 1290 – c. 1320) was the fourth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cuzco (beginning around 1290 CE) and a member of the Hurin dynasty.

6. Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne (b. 1943)

With an HPI of 54.27, Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne is the 6th most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne (born 28 December 1943) is a Peruvian prelate of the Catholic Church. He was Archbishop of Lima from 1999 to 2019. He has been a bishop since 1988 and was made a cardinal in 2001.

7. Pedro Barreto (b. 1944)

With an HPI of 53.01, Pedro Barreto is the 7th most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 20 different languages.

Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpe.ðɾo βaˈre.to]; born 12 February 1944) is a Peruvian prelate of the Catholic Church who was Archbishop of Huancayo from 2004 to 2024. He has been a cardinal since 2018.

8. Juan Guevara (1882 - 1954)

With an HPI of 45.44, Juan Guevara is the 8th most famous Peruvian Religious Figure.  His biography has been translated into 17 different languages.

Juan Gualberto Guevara B.A. J.C.D. (12 July 1882 – 27 November 1954) was created on 18 February 1946 as a Cardinal Priest by Pope Pius XII. He was Archbishop of Lima in the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Cardinal of Peru.