Pope Leo XIV Returns to 'Homeland' Peru, Greeted by Millions Post-Surgery

Pope Leo XIV was met by millions upon his arrival in Peru, a country he considers his adopted homeland, marking the final stop of a three-nation Latin American tour. This visit comes just weeks after the pontiff underwent surgery for lung cancer. Residents, waving flags and donning pope-themed attire, filled Lima's main plaza, erupting in cheers as a large screen displayed his plane's touchdown on Wednesday local time. Many held signs proclaiming, "Welcome home." A Vatican statement reported that three million people welcomed the pontiff in Lima, setting a new record for the largest crowd during his papacy, surpassing the estimated 2.5 million who attended an outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires earlier in the week. The 71-year-old pontiff had previously visited Uruguay and Argentina before traveling to Peru.

Although born in Chicago, United States, Pope Leo XIV spent two decades in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop, eventually obtaining citizenship before being chosen to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He stated that his return to Peru held "a very special meaning." Speaking at Lima's Gran Teatro Nacional, he expressed, "Today, I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you. I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am returning to my homeland." Peru prepared for his homecoming by erecting a 14-meter (46ft) statue of Pope Leo with outstretched arms, which now overlooks a seaside park in Callao. Merchants in Lima were actively selling pope-themed shirts and souvenirs.

The pontiff is scheduled to spend three days in Chiclayo, a northern city where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023. In a significant address to President Keiko Fujimori, whose father, Alberto Fujimori, led Peru through the challenging 1990s and a conflict with the Shining Path rebels, Pope Leo urged the president to foster confidence among her citizens following her narrow election victory earlier this year. He encouraged Fujimori to address the nation's past traumas, referencing her father's controversial legacy. "Past events deserve to be treated with justice and sensitivity, leaving room for harmony to grow and for differences to be addressed with respect," he remarked. The pontiff also implored Peruvians to cultivate "honesty, integrity, and a willingness to engage with others," emphasizing these qualities as vital for maintaining trust and democratic institutions. In her welcome, Fujimori described the pope's visit as an encouragement for Peru to pursue its "unfinished task" of national reconciliation. It is noteworthy that when Alberto Fujimori was pardoned in 2017, Leo – then Bishop Robert Prevost – had voiced criticism, suggesting the former president should seek forgiveness from victims for Peru to achieve true reconciliation.

Pope Leo began his trip less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery and has appeared to be in good health, delivering lengthy speeches with a strong, clear voice.