(OSV News) — Even though the cakes celebrating Pope Leo XIV’s birthday in his old Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, appeared a little misshapen—with one of the cakes featured a vertical pope appearing roly-poly rather than svelte like Pope Leo—but it didn’t matter — the celebration was splendid. Pope Leo often visited St. Peter’s Parish — site of the celebration — while serving as bishop, according to news organization Infobae. But the celebration and reactions reflected the deep enduring affection for Pope Leo in his native Peru, where the American-born pontiff served as an Augustinian missionary and later a bishop. A group of local bakers donated the cakes for the pope’s birthday celebration in Chiclayo. A tourist itinerary called “Pope Leo route” connecting dozens of landmarks associated with Pope Leo XIV’s decades-long mission in Peru was launched in July by the South American country’s government, in a joint effort with the church and the tourism industry to draw national and international visitors.