Pope Leo XIV Draws 1.5 Million at Mass Near Chiclayo in Emotional Peru Homecoming
Pope Leo XIV returned to Chiclayo, northern Peru, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023, celebrating Mass at a park in Pimentel on Friday. The Vatican estimated more than 1.5 million people gathered, with some arriving 12 hours early. The Pope thanked followers for their prayers and referenced his recent lung cancer surgery. He also visited the remote Andean village of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, speaking about migration, depopulation and poverty. The Peru leg is the longest stop on his first Latin America tour, which included Argentina and Uruguay.
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Pope Leo XIV Visits Remote Andean Town, Speaks of Community Suffering
Pope Leo XIV visited Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, an isolated Andean village in northern Peru within the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023. The Vatican said the town of about 6,000 residents drew a crowd of roughly 20,000 for the outdoor Mass. In his sermon, the Pope spoke of the 'suffering of those who are forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future,' declining birth rates emptying villages, and unequal distribution of land resources. Official data shows over 40% of Cajamarca region residents live in poverty, the highest in Peru, and 729,000 people born there now live elsewhere. Pope Leo, elected in May 2025, thanked those who traveled to see him and urged them not to lose heart. Rev. Kevin Noriega said the visit brought 'enormous hope and emotion.' The Peru stop is the longest on his first Latin America tour, which included Argentina and Uruguay; he departs Chiclayo on Sunday for Cusco and the Amazon before returning to Rome on Monday.
Read sourcePope Leo XIV Welcomed by Over 1.5 Million in Northern Peru Homecoming
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, returned to Chiclayo in northern Peru, a city he once called home as bishop, drawing more than 1.5 million people according to Vatican estimates. A local TV station announced 'Pope Leo XIV returns to his land' as his plane landed. More than 1 million lined the streets of Chiclayo, with 500,000 more gathered for a sprawling Friday Mass, nearly doubling the city's population for the emotional homecoming. Accompanying coverage from AP, Yahoo, Vatican News, and NPR reported that the pope lamented the violence enveloping Peru and said the Inca heartland was 'suffering' as villages empty, while ministering to his far-flung former flock.
Read sourcePope Leo XIV Returns to Peruvian City of Chiclayo as 1.5 Million Cheer
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, on Friday at a park in Pimentel, drawing an estimated 1.5 million people, according to the Vatican. The Pope, who holds Peruvian citizenship and served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, thanked the crowd for their affection and prayers, referencing his recent lung cancer surgery. Many attendees traveled from across Peru and neighboring countries, some arriving 12 hours early to hold vigil. Local residents recalled his work with poor and migrant communities, including launching soup kitchens during the Covid-19 pandemic and helping Venezuelan migrants obtain legal residency. A local priest noted the Pope's role in fostering unity, while a writer suggested his handling of the Sodalitium of Christian Life scandal helped earn him the papacy. The visit is part of his first Latin America tour, which also included Argentina and Uruguay.
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Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Mass in Chiclayo, Peru, on Latin America Tour
Pope Leo XIV celebrated mass on Friday at a park in Pimentel, about 10km from Chiclayo in northern Peru, as part of his Latin America tour. The Vatican estimated more than 1.5 million people gathered to welcome the pontiff, some arriving 12 hours early to hold vigil. The Pope thanked followers for their affection and prayers, especially for his health during what he called a time of trial, referencing lung cancer surgery weeks earlier. The visit is particularly emotional because Leo, born Robert Prevost, lived in Peru for long periods between 1985 and 2023, served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, and became a Peruvian citizen in 2015. Locals recalled his work with poor and migrant communities, soup kitchens during the Covid-19 pandemic, and flood relief on horseback. A local priest said the Pope brought Peruvians closer to the Church, while a writer suggested his handling of the Sodalitium of Christian Life scandal helped earn him Pope Francis's favour.
Read sourcePope Leo XIV Returns Emotionally to Chiclayo, His Beloved Former Diocese in Peru
Pope Leo XIV made an emotional return Friday to Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as Bishop Robert Prevost for eight years and was nicknamed 'Padre Roberto.' Arriving on a plane decorated with '#LeoXFliesHome' stickers, he was greeted by crowds at the Pampas de Pimentel, where he toured in an open-air popemobile and celebrated Mass. In his sermon, Leo gave thanks for the people's love and described his recent lung cancer diagnosis and surgery a month earlier as a time of trial. He is scheduled to remain in the area until Sunday for eight events, including a private dinner with priests who once reported to him. The visit is the most sentimental leg of his 12-day South America tour, which also included Argentina and Uruguay. Leo, born in Chicago, became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 and was known locally for social justice advocacy, prison ministry, pandemic fundraising, and flood relief work.
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