From the 24th-28th February 2026, the XXIX Assembly of the Union of Latin American Franciscan Conferences (UCLAF) was held in Lima, Peru, which brings together friars from all over Latin America and the Caribbean. The official opening took place with the Eucharistic celebration for the 300th anniversary of the canonisation of St. Francis Solano, presided over by the Definitor General Br. César Külkamp, OFM.
The Assembly took place in the historic friary of Los Descalzos and was attended by 24 Provincial Ministers and Custodes of the three Conferences: Bolivarian, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Brazil-Southern Cone. Members of the General Definitory and the Secretariats of the Order also participated, in person and virtually, as part of the journey of preparation for the General Chapter of 2027.
At the end of the Assembly, the change in the UCLAF coordination service was made. This service, which until now was administered by Br. Fernando on behalf of the Conference of Brazil and the Southern Cone, now passes to Br. Gabriel Romero, president of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference and Provincial Minister of the Province of St Philip of Jesús (Mexico).
This meeting was a profound time of prayer, fraternity, and shared discernment, with the desire to offer a significant contribution from Latin America to the life and mission of the Order of Friars Minor. The friars reaffirmed their commitment to walk together as an Order, strengthening communion between the Conferences and living the Franciscan charism with creative fidelity, in response to the current challenges of evangelisation in our continent.
The Assembly concluded with an atmosphere of gratitude and hope, renewing the desire that Latin American fraternity continue to be a living sign of mission, unity and service to the Church and the world.
