Pope Leo returns to what is expected to be a national party in his second homeland of Peru

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday after a 12-day Latin American tour, marking his nostalgic return to the nation where he spent two decades as a missionary. The 71-year-old pontiff, who recently underwent surgery for lung cancer, landed in Peru just weeks after his return to Argentina, where he drew a massive crowd for a mass in Lujan.

Thousands of faithful lined the streets of Lima, welcoming the pope as if he had never left the country. In Argentina, Pope Leo XIV had addressed sensitive political and social issues, criticizing the Argentine government's policies and emphasizing the need for inclusivity and support for the vulnerable. In Peru, he will encounter a deeply divided nation grappling with its violent past, high crime rates, deep inequalities, and a rising cost of living.

The pope's visit is seen as a beacon of hope and peace, potentially influencing Peru's politics for the better.