Pope Leo XIV declared Peru his “homeland” on Wednesday as he arrived in Lima to begin a historic visit to the country where he served for two decades.
The arrival marks the final leg of a 12-day South American tour through Uruguay and Argentina, serving as a homecoming for the pontiff, who previously served as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru. CBS News reported that the visit is an emotional highlight for the nation, where the former Cardinal Robert Prevost spent more than 20 years as an Augustinian missionary.
“That is why I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland,” the pope said to applause during his arrival, WNYT reported.
Millions gather in Lima for papal arrival
People lined the streets of Lima to welcome the pope on Wednesday, OSV News reported. The papal flight touched down at the Callao Air Base at approximately 5 p.m. local time following a four-hour flight from Buenos Aires.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori met the pope at the foot of the aircraft stairs, where two children presented him with flowers, OSV News said. Following the arrival, the pope traveled to the Palacio de Gobierno for an official welcome ceremony and a private meeting with Fujimori, who became the country’s ninth president in 10 years in July, OSV News noted.
The welcome ceremony included performances of traditional Marinera dance and Indigenous Quechua music, WNYT reported.
A legacy of service in Chiclayo
While the visit began in the capital, the emotional center of the trip is expected to be the northern city of Chiclayo. The pope served as the bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, KCRA reported.
Highlights from Pope Leo XIV's arrival and welcome ceremony in Lima, Peru – beginning the final leg of his Apostolic Journey to South America. pic.twitter.com/HLHhnN27cd
— Post by @VaticanNews on X
During his tenure, the pontiff was known for his presence during national crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods. Latin Times reported that as Bishop Prevost, he was photographed coordinating oxygen supply chains for hospitals and rural communities during the pandemic.
“We love him so much because he's worked here, he knows our sufferings, he knows it all,” said 85-year-old Evelina Cruz, who waited for the arrival with a pope plush doll.
“My heart is so excited that it makes me want to cry with joy,” said Zuly Castillo, who served as Leo's secretary when he was bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo near the Pacific Coast.
The pope’s connection to the region is deeply personal. He obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015 as a prerequisite for his role as a local bishop, National Catholic Register said. He has said that his time in the country taught him “what it means to be a shepherd,” CBS News reported.
Challenges facing the Peruvian people
The papal visit arrives amid complex social and economic conditions in the country. Although Peru is rich in resources, the national poverty level stood at over 25 percent in 2025, America Magazine reported.
The pope also addressed the intersection of development and crisis in the Amazon, noting that the region faces environmental issues, the exclusion of Indigenous peoples, and extreme poverty, WNYT said.
Upcoming itinerary for the apostolic journey
The pontiff’s schedule in Peru includes visits to several key locations over the coming days. According to America Magazine, the planned itinerary includes:
- November 13: A flight from Lima to Chiclayo, where he will be welcomed by Bishop Edinson Farfán Córdova.
- November 14: A morning visit to the Cathedral of Saint Mary followed by a trip to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba to celebrate Mass.
- November 14: A 5:30 p.m. prayer meeting at the shrine in Zaña, marking the conclusion of the jubilee year for St. Toribio de Mogrovejo.
The pope is scheduled to depart Peru and return to Rome on November 17, OSV News reported.
Earlier coverage: Millions Welcome Pope Leo Home to Peru