Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lima on November 11, beginning the final leg of his six-day trip to South America. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori welcomed him at the capital's airport. From here the Pontiff headed towards the center of the city, accompanied by the enthusiasm of the crowd gathered along the streets, before the official welcome ceremony.
According to what was communicated by the local authorities, approximately three million Peruvians participated in the welcome of Leo XIV along the streets of Lima. An impressive crowd accompanied the Pope's passage from the airport towards the center of the capital, amidst applause and demonstrations of enthusiasm.
For Leo XIV the trip to Peru had a particular meaning. The Pontiff lived in the country for decades, where he formed deep ties with local communities. In 2015 he also obtained Peruvian citizenship, a recognition that he recalled in his first speech in Lima: "That gesture demonstrated a bond that these people had woven into my life for a long time."
After arriving in Lima, Leo XIV met with President Keiko Fujimori. "Welcome home, Holy Father! Peru welcomes you with open arms, with great affection and immense joy", wrote the head of state on social media. During the official ceremony at the Teatro Nacional, Fujimori hoped that the Pope's visit could promote national reconciliation, recalling the need to strengthen democracy and institutions.
"It is a source of profound joy for me to return to Peru. This return has a very special meaning for me. I return to my homeland." Thus Leo XIV opened his first speech in Lima, recalling the years spent in the country. He recounted the hospitality he received from Peruvian families, who opened their homes to him and shared the table, "and, of course, some good ceviche."
In his speech to the authorities, Leo XIV invited Peru to overcome the divisions that have marked its recent history. "I would like to encourage everyone to cultivate honesty, rectitude and willingness to meet," he declared, indicating these qualities as fundamental for strengthening trust in institutions. The Pontiff recalled that democratic life requires respect for differences and the awareness that no one has all the answers.
Leo XIV dedicated part of his speech to the meaning of national belonging. Peru, he observed, is made up of regions with different traditions and identities, which must find space in common life. "Loving a people means desiring that everyone can live among them with dignity", he said, addressing in particular those who hold public positions.
The Pontiff recalled the importance of healthcare, asking the authorities to guarantee accessible services and strengthen preventive medicine. A particular thought was given to the sick, the elderly and people with disabilities. Leo XIV also recalled the contribution of Peruvian women, including those involved in soup kitchens and community kitchens, hoping that they can participate fully in the life of the country.
In his speech Leo XIV also addressed some of the major global issues. From environmental protection to the management of migratory flows, the Pontiff has indicated dialogue and international cooperation as the tools for finding shared answers. He also focused on artificial intelligence, underlining the need to orient its development towards the common good and to introduce adequate legal guarantees to prevent abuse and protect people.
In the final part of the first speech, Leo XIV remembered Saint Rose of Lima and the well in which generations of Peruvians have entrusted their hopes and prayers. The Pontiff invoked a future of solidarity and fraternity, inviting us to recognize in every person "a brother, a sister". He then concluded his speech amid applause with a blessing addressed to the country: "May God bless Peru and all its inhabitants!".
