Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru for the final leg of his South America tour, returning to the country where he spent more than two decades as a missionary priest and bishop.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, returning to the country he credits with teaching him how to be a pastor. The visit marked the final leg of his three-nation South America tour.
Leo emerged from an Aerolineas Argentinas charter plane and greeted President Keiko Fujimori on the tarmac. He embraced two children who brought him flowers. The Vatican estimated that some 3 million people lined the kilometers-long motorcade route into town, waving Peruvian and Holy See flags. Some in the crowds broke through tight security to chase behind the car that transported him to the presidential palace, where Leo met privately with Fujimori. During the formal welcome ceremony in the palace courtyard, he sang the Peruvian national anthem alongside Fujimori and a children's choir.
Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru and is the first pope from each country. He first arrived in Peru as a missionary in 1985 and spent more than two decades in the country as a missionary priest and later bishop. He has said it was in Peru that he learned "what it means to be a shepherd."
The visit to Peru is the emotional highlight of the trip. Leo will celebrate Mass in his old stomping grounds, including at the sanctuary of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo in Zaña. He will travel to Pucallpa in Peru's Amazon to celebrate Mass and honor Peru's Indigenous peoples. He will also meet with popular groups of faithful and representatives of local traditions in Cusco, where he will celebrate Mass in the main square. Leo will visit Chiclayo, the northern diocese he once led as bishop.
Peru, a nation of 34 million people, faces challenges including violent crime and income inequality. In 2025, 25.7% of the Peruvian population was living in monetary poverty. The Catholic population in Peru was at 76% in 2013-2014 but now stands at around 67%. Many Peruvians hope the pope's return will inspire a response from those in power to address the country's problems.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
An Israeli airstrike on a building at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least six people, including a surgeon, and wounded 20 others, Gaza civil defence and health authorities said.
Ukrainian drone attacks since late October have reduced Russia's oil refining capacity by about 30%, according to Reuters citing two oil industry sources. Nine of Russia's 35 major refineries were affected.
