Pope Leo XIV returns to Peru to a big welcome, calls it his 'homeland'

A homecoming in Lima

The pope has Peruvian citizenship and lived in the country for more than two decades, serving as a missionary priest and later as bishop of Chiclayo. He is also a US citizen and the first pope from either Peru or the United States.

Words at the palace

At the presidential palace, Leo sang Peru’s national anthem with President Keiko Fujimori. He told the crowd that much of the country remained with him and described his return as a homecoming.

Leo urged Peruvians to value honesty and integrity, and to recognize that nobody has every answer. He also called for stronger measures to prevent disasters, including floods and landslides linked to El Niño.

Challenges facing Peru

Fujimori said the country still had reconciliation to pursue after insurgent violence, abuses by the state and deep political divisions. Peru has had nine presidents since July 2016, while homicide rates have almost doubled over five years.

Political science professor Alonso Cardenas told the Associated Press he saw no government response or strategy from Fujimori’s administration. Theology professor Veronique Lecaros said the Catholic Church was more trusted than other Peruvian institutions, although Pew data show Catholics declining from 76% of the population to about 67%.

A demanding visit schedule

Leo’s six-day stay includes travel to an elevation of 3,700 meters, or about 12,140 feet. The journey is considered risky because part of his lung was removed in mid-October after a malignant tumor was found. He is scheduled to return to the Vatican on November 17.