Lima. Pope Leo XIV was enthusiastically received by several hundred thousand people when he returned to his second homeland of Peru. On the way from the airport to the center of the capital Lima, people stood close together along the streets for many kilometers. The Vatican, citing local authorities, put their number at up to three million. Before his election as pope, the American-born man spent two decades as a missionary and bishop in the South American country. He also has Peruvian citizenship.
In his first speech, the head of the Catholic Church called on the country's divided political camps to reach agreement. In the interest of the population, many problems “can best be solved through dialogue and cooperation”. The country of 35 million inhabitants has notoriously suffered from political instability for many years. In addition, the gap between rich and poor is growing.
Leo was received at the airport on Wednesday (local time) by right-wing President Keiko Fujimori. The daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori is already the ninth head of state in ten years. Many Peruvians hope that the visit of “their” Pope will bring better times. Chants of “El Papa es peruano” (“The Pope is Peruvian”) could be heard again and again.
Leo will be in his old home until Monday - after Uruguay and Argentina, it is the last stop for him on a twelve-day trip to South America. However, there is still no date for a visit to the USA. There have also been public differences of opinion between the first pope from the United States and President Donald Trump since Leo's election a year and a half ago, for example with regard to the Iran war or Trump's tough course against migrants in the USA. Leo turned down an invitation to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the USA.
The 71-year-old called Peru his “home” at a reception in the National Theater. There was then loud applause. The former “Padre Robert” - born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost - added: “Today I understand how much of this country lives on in me and how much of my own history belongs to you too.” But he also didn't miss the opportunity to send words of warning to the parties. “I would like to encourage everyone to cultivate honesty, integrity and willingness to meet.”
In the presence of President Fujimori, he called on politicians to overcome rifts. “Democracy in action means recognizing that no one has all the answers and that different views do not conflict with a sincere shared concern for the well-being of the country.” Fujimori - daughter of the late former head of state Alberto Fujimori - only narrowly defeated a left-wing candidate in this year's election.
The 51-year-old had promised during the election campaign to take tough action against corruption and organized crime. In addition, like Argentina's President Javier Milei, she wants to reduce the influence of the state and deregulate the economy. Economically, Peru is one of the more solid economies in South America. However, the country has significant problems with poverty and social inequality.
As before in Argentina, the Pope warned against a radical market course. “There are goods that no economic prosperity can replace: the peace of conscience, the certainty of being loved and the freedom to search for the truth and to align one’s life with it.”
He also warned that the years of civil war should be dealt with “with a sense of justice and sensitivity”. The role of Fujimori's father is still controversial to this day. During his time in Peru, Leo criticized the then president for the brutal crackdown on the Shining Path terrorist group. By the turn of the millennium, more than 60,000 people had died in the civil war. The current Pope also did not agree with Fujimori's later pardon.
In Peru, around three quarters of the population profess the Catholic faith. The country has been preparing for weeks for the return of the former bishop of the large city of Chiclayo. Leo is expected there this Thursday. His program also includes trips to the Amazon rainforest and a trip to the Andes at 3,700 meters, which is considered tricky because of the thin mountain air after Leo's lung operation.
The Pope only had a malignant tumor removed from his right lung in mid-October. According to the doctors treating him, he is now cancer-free again. He survived the first days of the grueling South American tour without any noticeable health problems.
