Pope declares Peru his "homeland" in final leg of South America trip

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on Wednesday, marking a bittersweet homecoming for the 71-year-old pontiff. The final leg of his 12-day Latin American tour saw the Pope wave upon landing at Callao Air Base in Callao, Peru. Born in Chicago, Leo's return to his homeland of 1.4 billion Catholics was a nostalgic occasion, weeks after he underwent surgery for lung cancer.

Upon his arrival, thousands of Peruvians lined the streets, many in tears, as phalanxes of soldiers in red and green berets maintained order. Alexander Torres, a 32-year-old street vendor in Lima, expressed his elation: "He will be welcomed as if he never left the country."

The Pope's visit began in Lujan, Argentina, where he preached to a crowd of over three million people, reflecting on his farewell to Argentina and his predecessor, Pope Francis. Tens of thousands of faithful climbed fences, barriers, trees, and lampposts to catch a glimpse of their spiritual guide.

During his journey, the Pope addressed sensitive political and social issues in Argentina and Peru. In Argentina, he called for a more inclusive economy and better protection for vulnerable individuals, comments interpreted as criticism of the country's aid-slashing President Javier Milei. In Peru, the Pope will encounter a deeply divided nation, still grappling with its violent past under former President Alberto Fujimori, as well as high crime rates, deep inequalities, and a rising cost of living.

For Jessibel Quispe, a 39-year-old mother and homemaker, the Pope's visit is a beacon of hope and peace: "The Pope coming is a message of hope and peace, that will help our politics a lot."