3 Million People Greet Pope Leo XIV on Return to Peru

Some 3 million people lined the streets of Lima on Wednesday to welcome Pope Leo XIV as he returned to Peru, the country he adopted as his home for two decades.

The papal motorcade moved through the capital under gray skies, with crowds holding up cellphones and chanting, “León, amigo, el pueblo esta contigo,” as the pontiff began the final leg of his 12-day South American tour. For the 71-year-old Pope, who was naturalized as a Peruvian citizen in 2015, the homecoming marks a deeply personal return to the nation that shaped his ministry as an Augustinian missionary and bishop.

Born in Chicago, the man formerly known as Robert Prevost arrived in Peru in 1985, eventually serving as the bishop of Chiclayo until 2023. His connection to the country is so profound that he has frequently referred to it as his homeland.

During a speech at the Gran Teatro Nacional on the evening of his arrival, the Pope told civic leaders and diplomats that his history in the region began long before his formal appointment to the diocese.

“For years, I shared in the lives of its people, listened to their concerns, and learned from their faith,” the Pope said. “Many opened the doors of their homes to me, shared their table with me — and, of course, some good ceviche — and made me feel like one of their own.”

Peter Hughes, an 84-year-old Irish priest who has lived in Peru for more than 60 years, observed that the Pope’s ability to connect with the populace stems from his intimate knowledge of their struggles. “That is what makes leaders like Pope Francis and Pope Leo speak the language of the Gospel in very human terms, putting a premium on justice and peace,” Hughes said.

Beyond the celebrations, the Pope’s visit is focused on pressing social issues. During a meeting in the Plaza de Armas on November 12, he issued a sharp denunciation of the culture of “machismo” and violence against women, which remains a critical concern in Peru. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, the country recorded 1,261 femicide victims between 2016 and 2024.

“It pains us to see that violence against women — who could be our grandmothers, mothers, sisters or daughters — continues to be a reality that wounds all of humanity,” the Pope said. He urged the nation to value and protect women, noting that men and women possess equal dignity and responsibility.

The Pope also addressed the clergy directly regarding abuse within the Church. He called for a response rooted in “justice, forgiveness, making amends and an ever more resolute commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and protection for the weakest in light of such crimes.”

The Pope’s history in Peru is tied to his active response to past crises. Residents of Chiclayo remember him for his work during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he did not only provide food aid but also delivered last rites to victims. Faced with a severe shortage of medical oxygen, he worked with Caritas Chiclayo to raise more than US$380,000, which funded the construction of two oxygen plants.

This history of hands-on service continues to define the public’s view of him.

The Pope’s itinerary continues through November 16, with planned visits to Santa Cruz, the Afro-Peruvian town of Zaña, the Inca capital of Cusco, and the Amazonian city of Pucallpa. He is scheduled to return to Lima to celebrate Mass in Callao before departing for Rome on November 17.