Pope Leo welcomed by millions in his second ‘homeland’ of Peru

What the report says

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on the final leg of a three-country Latin American tour, where he was greeted by large crowds in Lima and described by the Vatican as receiving a welcome from millions. Al Jazeera reported that people filled the capital’s main plaza, waved flags and held signs reading “Welcome home” as the pope landed on Wednesday local time. The trip came less than a month after he underwent surgery for lung cancer.

The pope, born in Chicago, has deep ties to Peru after spending about two decades there as a missionary priest and bishop and later obtaining citizenship. He previously served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, and the Vatican said he is scheduled to spend three days in that northern city during the visit. Peru prepared for his return with large displays, including a towering statue in Callao and pope-themed merchandise sold in Lima.

At an event in Lima’s Gran Teatro Nacional, Leo said returning to Peru held special meaning and said part of his story belongs to the country. He also used the visit to urge political leaders and citizens to support trust, integrity and democratic life.

The article added that he spoke to President Keiko Fujimori about national reconciliation and respect for Peru’s troubled past, including the legacy of her father, former president Alberto Fujimori. The broader significance is both pastoral and political: the visit highlights Leo’s unusual connection to Peru while placing him in a country still marked by divisions over its recent history.