Pope Leo XIV has begun this Wednesday his apostolic journey to Peru, a country of which he has been a citizen since 2015, with a message focused on concord, strengthening democratic dialogue, and protecting the most vulnerable sectors. This stage is part of a tour of South America that has already taken him previously to Argentina and Uruguay.
The Pontiff has arrived in Lima from Buenos Aires and has been received with military honors by the President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Espá.
After greeting hundreds of faithful during his journey in a popemobile to the center of the capital and holding a private meeting with the head of State at the Palacio de Gobierno, León XIV has presided over an event with authorities, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Gran Teatro Nacional de Lima.
In his address, the Holy Father has expressed his "deep gratitude" for returning to what he has described as "his homeland," evoking the years of pastoral service while leading the Diocese of Chiclayo.
Before those in charge of the public powers, the Pope has called for tackling the tensions inherited from the past "with justice and sensitivity, leaving room for concord to grow," and has underlined that politics must be understood as a vocation of service to the common good, paying special attention to the most remote Andean and Amazonian communities.
León XIV has also pointed out the main social and economic challenges the country faces, calling for dignified working conditions for farmers, fishermen, and small merchants, support for women who sustain popular dining halls, and legal security in the face of the development of artificial intelligence and the exploitation of natural resources. Likewise, he has addressed words of consolation to families affected by citizen insecurity, reminding them that peace in everyday life comes through being able to "go out to work without fear."
In her appearance, President Keiko Fujimori highlighted that Peru receives the Pontiff "with an open heart" and has agreed that this visit represents an invitation to national reconciliation and the search for points of meeting, warning that "no country can live imprisoned by its wounds."
The Pope’s stay in Peru will extend until Monday, November 16, and will include trips to the regions of Lambayeque, Ucayali, Cajamarca, and Cusco.