LIMA, Peru — Pope Leo XIV declared Peru his “homeland” Wednesday as he arrived in Lima for the final leg of his South America trip, The Associated Press reported.
The Vatican estimated some 3 million people lined the miles-long motorcade route into the city. Some broke through security to chase the car carrying him to the presidential palace, where he met privately with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, according to the AP.
“Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you,” the Chicago-born pope said. “That is why I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland.”
Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, spent more than two decades in Peru as a missionary priest and later as bishop of Chiclayo. He acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015, making him the first pope from both the United States and Peru.
The visit is the last stop of a three-nation tour. Leo is scheduled to celebrate Mass in several places where he once served, including Chiclayo, the AP reported.
The trip comes about a month after the Vatican said Leo had surgery to remove part of his right lung after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Sources: CBS News / The Associated Press, KTAR News / The Associated Press (Oct. 13 surgery report). Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Swiss-Foto S.A./Faucett Perú / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
