Peruvian Pope Leo XIV returns to Chiclayo during Latin America tour

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a mass near the Peruvian city where he established a deep legacy as a compassionate bishop working closely with impoverished and migrant communities. The ceremony took place on Friday at a park in Pimentel, located approximately ten kilometers from Chiclayo in northern Peru, as part of the pontiff's ongoing tour of Latin America.

The Vatican estimated that more than 1.5 million people gathered to welcome the pontiff. Many attendees arrived twelve hours in advance to maintain a vigil. The crowd fell into a hushed silence as the motorcade approached, waiting eagerly despite temperatures surpassing thirty degrees Celsius.

During the ceremony, the Pope addressed the faithful. Thank you for your affection, support, and prayers, especially for my health during this time of trial which, with God's help, I am overcoming, he told followers, referencing the surgery he underwent for lung cancer just weeks prior.

Peru represents the longest stop on the initial Latin American tour of the pontiff, who was elected in May 2025. The journey also included visits to Argentina and Uruguay, but his time in Peru carries profound significance. Beyond living in the country for extended periods between 1985 and 2023, he attained Peruvian citizenship in 2015 and forged strong local bonds.

Locals across Chiclayo shared memories of the man known locally as the peruvian pope, recalling his habit of visiting a restaurant near the cathedral, his love of tennis, his launch of pandemic soup kitchens, and his efforts to aid Venezuelan migrants escaping political and economic crisis.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated mass for 1.5 million people in northern Peru during his Latin American tour.

Why it matters

Pope Leo XIV is visiting Peru as part of his Latin America tour, following recent lung cancer surgery. His return to Chiclayo highlights his extensive past work with poor and migrant populations in the region where he previously served as bishop.