Pope Leo XIV has presided over a major religious ceremony in the Peruvian region where he established his reputation as a compassionate bishop devoted to serving impoverished and migrant populations. According to BBC News, the pontiff celebrated mass on Friday at a park in Pimentel, approximately 10 kilometres from Chiclayo in northern Peru, drawing an estimated 1.5 million attendees as part of his inaugural Latin American tour since his election in May 2025.
The Pope, who holds Peruvian citizenship and resided in the country for extended periods between 1985 and 2023, addressed the assembled faithful with gratitude and reflection on his recent health challenges.
"Thank you for your affection, support and prayers,"he told the crowd, before adding,
"Especially for my health during this time of trial which, with God's help, I am overcoming."These remarks referenced lung cancer surgery he underwent just weeks prior to the journey.
Devotion to attending the event was evident in the commitment shown by pilgrims. Numerous attendees arrived a full day in advance, maintaining vigil through the night despite temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
"We spent the night praying, alongside family, excited to welcome the Pope from Chiclayo,"explained Isa Orderique, one of many who sacrificed comfort for the opportunity to witness the pontiff's return. Merli Cruz Guerrero, who travelled several hours by bus from an area near the Ecuadorean border, similarly spent the entire night waiting. According to the News & Observer, Maria Esther Chozo Reyes, 76, journeyed 12 hours by bus from Lima and arrived Thursday afternoon to camp near the Mass site.
The Pope's motorcade's arrival prompted a hushed silence to fall across the assembled multitude, who had gathered from across Peru and neighbouring countries. The emotional intensity of the occasion distinguished it from other events during his Peruvian visit, reflecting the unique historical connection between the pontiff and this region.
For residents of Chiclayo, the Pope's presence carried profound significance rooted in his years of service in their community.
"The Pope has come home and Chiclayo is celebrating,"remarked Lisbeth Díaz, an educator who collaborated with Pope Leo during his tenure as the city's bishop from 2015 to 2023. The pontiff's decision to become a Peruvian citizen in 2015 further cemented his integration into local society, distinguishing Peru as the longest stop on his current Latin American journey, which has also encompassed Argentina and Uruguay.
What drew people to Chiclayo to see the Pope?
Throughout the Chiclayo region, few residents lack a personal connection or memorable story involving the Pope. Some recall his appreciation for Peruvian cuisine, particularly his visits to El Trébol, a restaurant adjacent to the city's cathedral, or his enthusiasm for tennis. Yet the moments that resonate most deeply involve his humanitarian work—his role in establishing soup kitchens during the Covid-19 pandemic and his willingness to wade through floodwaters on horseback when the area experienced inundation.
A modest museum at the bishop's residence entrance preserves photographic documentation of these episodes from his pastoral years. In Chiclayo's central square, vendors distribute commemorative images of the Pope, including a celebrated photograph capturing him visiting a remote settlement on horseback.
The Pope's legacy in Chiclayo extends beyond nostalgic recollection. Samuel David Miranda Atoche, a parish priest from the city who received ordination from the Pope during his episcopal tenure—when he was known by his birth name, Robert Prevost—articulated the deeper significance of his return.
"It is the return of the man who brought Peruvians closer to the Church,"Father Atoche stated, emphasizing the spiritual renewal the pontiff catalysed during his years in the region.
How did the Pope help migrants in Chiclayo?
The Pope's compassion extended particularly to vulnerable migrant populations. Lisbeth Díaz, herself a Venezuelan who relocated to Chiclayo, described witnessing his distress at observing migrants living without shelter on city streets.
"It was difficult for him to see so many migrants living on the streets,"she recalled, referencing the period when substantial numbers of Venezuelans transited through Chiclayo fleeing political and economic turmoil in their homeland. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the Pope initiated contact with migration authorities and coordinated with other organisations to expedite the administrative processes necessary for many migrants to obtain legal residency and work permits. This commitment to migrant welfare reflects a pattern evident in his broader ministry—Vatican reporting notes that before becoming pope, Leo helped rebuild the San Óscar Romero chapel in one of Chiclayo's poorest neighbourhoods.
What controversial issues did the Pope address as bishop?
The Pope's tenure as bishop encompassed difficult institutional challenges alongside his humanitarian endeavours. His leadership required him to navigate the contentious dissolution of Sodalitium of Christian Life, a Peruvian Catholic organisation that confronted decades of sexual abuse allegations. Santiago Roncagliolo, a Peruvian writer and journalist who has examined the Pope's biography, contends that his management of this crisis earned him the confidence of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and positioned him on the trajectory toward the papacy.
Father Atoche emphasised the unifying role the former bishop played in his community.
"If there is one thing Bishop Prevost worked for here,"he observed,
"it was unity."This commitment to communal cohesion manifested visibly in the preparations for the mass, as Chiclayo's cathedral square filled with celebrations for days preceding the event.
How has the Pope's visit affected Chiclayo?
The Pope's return has transformed the demographic and economic landscape of the region. Chiclayo ordinarily houses approximately 800,000 residents across the city and surrounding areas, yet estimates suggest the papal visit has caused that population to double temporarily. Local commercial enterprises have capitalised on the heightened interest, with hotels substantially raising nightly rates and merchants expanding sales of commemorative merchandise.
The economic activity, however, did not deter the faithful from assembling for the ceremony. Throughout the event, declarations of
"The Pope is from Chiclayo!"reverberated across the field, articulating the community's sense of ownership and pride in their connection to the pontiff. The Pope's response demonstrated his reciprocal affection for the region.
"As I look at your faces, a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord arises in my heart,"he conveyed from the stage,
"for the blessing you have been and continue to be in my life."
What are the Pope's next steps in Peru?
The Pope's schedule in Chiclayo extends beyond the Friday mass. According to Vatican documentation, his itinerary includes a private visit to the San Óscar A. Romero Chapel, meetings with clergy and university representatives, and a supper with Chiclayo's priests following the mass. The Pope arrived in Chiclayo from Lima on Friday morning aboard a plane bearing "#LeoXFliesHome" stickers and is scheduled to remain in the area until Sunday for eight events.
Beyond Chiclayo, the Vatican schedule indicates the Pope will return to Lima on November 15, subsequently visiting Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, Cusco and Pucallpa before departing Peru on November 16. His 12-day South American journey concludes with his arrival in Rome on November 17.
