Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lima on Wednesday to an enthusiastic reception, with roughly three million people lining the streets as he traveled from the capital’s airport to the presidential palace.
The euphoric scenes mark the return of the 71-year-old pontiff to his second homeland, where he spent two decades as an Augustinian missionary and holds citizenship. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, the head of the Catholic Church previously worked in Peru as the bishop of Chiclayo, where he traversed remote Andean regions on horseback and helped distribute sandbags during heavy floods.
Crowds filled the streets in Vatican yellow-and-white and Peruvian red-and-white colors, shouting slogans and capturing the procession on mobile phones. On Thursday, children carrying flags and flowers awaited him outside the Apostolic Nunciature, while his journey to the city hall faced heavy traffic congestion from well-wishers.
That evening before the presidential palace, Leo sang the Peruvian national anthem alongside President Keiko Fujimori following a military welcome. In his opening address on Wednesday evening, he reflected on how the Andean nation shaped him over the years, calling it his true fatherland.
The Mass Gathering and Papal Address in Lima
“My beloved people of Peru!” Leo called out on Thursday during a midday prayer before the cathedral in Lima, drawing enthusiastic applause from thousands of attendees. The appearance follows his recovery from a lung cancer operation exactly one month prior.
During a meeting with the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, the pontiff opted against formal titles like “Eminences or Excellencies,” addressing the gathering instead as “My dear brother bishops.” He urged the leadership to take a decisive stance against abuse and to work toward social cohesion, human dignity, justice, and societal participation.
He also addressed the nation’s political leadership in the presence of President Fujimori, the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori. Leo called on authorities to protect citizens’ well-being and urged a careful, just reckoning with the country’s history of terrorism.
Peru Honors the Pontiff with Tributes and Cultural Landmarks
Peru has embraced the papal visit through various tributes, including a 14-meter-high statue, dedicated songs, and specialty sweets. At Lima’s city hall on Thursday, the pontiff received the keys to the city after signing the Golden Book.
Among the items now enshrined in the cultural heritage of the Peruvian people is the handwritten citizenship application that “Padre Rob” submitted in 2015, complete with his signature and fingerprint. This visit marks the longest papal visit in the nation’s history, following previous journeys by John Paul II and Francis.
| Event Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pontiff | Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) |
| Birthplace & Year | Chicago, 1955 |
| Destination | Lima, Peru |
| Previous Papal Visits | John Paul II, Francis |
Throughout the engagements, the pontiff joined in singing traditional Peruvian rhythms and shared lighthearted moments with local church officials. The visit continues as a significant milestone for the country’s Catholic faithful, underscoring decades of personal and religious ties between the pontiff and his adopted home.
