Pope Leo XIV has returned to Peru, the country he describes as his second homeland, receiving an enormous welcome from people who remember his years as a missionary priest and bishop. An estimated three million people lined parts of his route through Lima as he arrived for the final stage of his South American tour. Crowds waved Peruvian and Vatican flags, sang songs and gathered along the streets to see the pontiff. The visit has special meaning for many Peruvians because Leo spent more than two decades working in the country before becoming pope.
The pope, born Robert Prevost in the United States, acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015. During the welcome ceremony, he thanked the people of Peru for shaping his life and helping him understand what it means to serve as a pastor. He also joined President Keiko Fujimori in singing the Peruvian national anthem. The ceremony included traditional Quechua music and a performance of the Marinera dance, reflecting the country’s cultural identity. Some people travelled long distances to attend the welcome, while others followed the celebrations through television and online coverage.
The visit is taking place as Peru faces serious social and economic challenges. Poverty, violent crime, political instability and corruption remain major concerns for many citizens. Around one-quarter of the population was living in monetary poverty in 2025, according to figures cited in the report. The pope is expected to meet Indigenous communities in the Amazon and visit cities connected to his earlier work. His speeches are likely to address the hopes and difficulties of ordinary Peruvians. Many people see him as someone who understands their struggles because of his long experience in the country. His return has therefore become more than a religious event, serving as a major cultural moment for a nation seeking hope and stability.
