Pope Leo’s Peru visit draws millions as he returns to the country that shaped his ministry and calls for national reconciliation
Pope Leo XIV has received an extraordinary welcome in Peru, with an estimated three million people gathering along the streets of Lima on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to celebrate his return to the country where he spent more than two decades serving as a Catholic missionary and bishop.
The visit marked the beginning of the final and most personal leg of his South American tour, following stops in Uruguay and Argentina. For the pontiff, who was born in Chicago, the return to Peru was more than an official papal engagement.
It was a homecoming to a country whose people and communities played a significant role in shaping his religious life.
Leo, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was welcomed at Callao Air Base by President Keiko Fujimori and other government officials. Children presented him with flowers, while crowds gathered along his route into Lima, waving Peruvian and Vatican flags and chanting his name.
The Vatican, citing local officials, put the crowd at approximately three million, making it the largest public gathering of Leo’s papacy so far.
Addressing Peruvian authorities and representatives of civil society at the Gran Teatro Nacional, the Pope spoke warmly about his years in the country and the relationships he built with its people.
He recalled sharing in their daily lives, listening to their concerns and learning from their faith. He also drew laughter when he referred to his fondness for ceviche, one of Peru’s best-known traditional dishes.
“Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you,” he said.
The pontiff added that he was returning with deep gratitude to what he considered his homeland.
Leo’s connection to Peru dates back several decades.
He served as an Augustinian missionary in the country before becoming bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held from 2015 to 2023. He acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015, becoming the first Peruvian citizen to lead the Catholic Church.
His return has generated widespread excitement, particularly in communities where he previously worked. Residents have celebrated his visit with murals, souvenirs and other displays of affection.
A 14-metre statue of the Pope has also been erected in Callao ahead of his arrival.
Beyond the celebrations, Leo used his first major address in Peru to encourage national unity and urge political leaders to rebuild public confidence.
Speaking directly to Fujimori, he called for honesty, integrity, dialogue and greater attention to the concerns of ordinary citizens.
He also touched on the country’s painful political history, urging that past events be addressed with justice and sensitivity.
Although he did not directly name her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, his remarks carried significance because of the former leader’s controversial record.
Alberto Fujimori, who governed Peru between 1990 and 2000, was convicted of human rights abuses and spent years in prison before receiving a controversial pardon in 2017. He died in 2024.
President Keiko Fujimori described the Pope’s visit as an important opportunity to advance national reconciliation, acknowledging that Peru still faced the difficult task of overcoming decades of division and mistrust.
She said disagreements should not turn citizens into enemies and urged political actors to use democratic institutions and dialogue to address their differences.
Leo’s visit is expected to take him beyond Lima to several places associated with his previous ministry.
His itinerary includes Chiclayo, where he served as bishop, as well as Cusco and Pucallpa, where he is scheduled to meet missionaries and representatives of Indigenous communities in the Amazon.
He is also expected to celebrate Mass at several locations before concluding his six-day visit to Peru on November 16 and departing for Rome.
The Peru visit follows large gatherings in Argentina, where millions attended outdoor Masses during the Pope’s tour.
His appearance in the region has drawn particular attention because he underwent lung cancer surgery less than a month before the trip, although he has appeared in good health during his public engagements.
For many Peruvians, however, the significance of the visit goes beyond the crowds and ceremonies.
It represents the return of a religious leader whose years of pastoral service established a lasting connection with the country.
