Pope Leo celebrates Mass in his former diocese of Chiclayo, Peru
Over a million people have gathered for Mass with Pope Leo XIV on Friday. The event in northern Peru, where he served as bishop before becoming head of the Catholic Church, is the centerpiece of his South American tour.
CHICLAYO, Peru — During the final day of his 12-day tour of South America, Pope Leo addressed a massive congregation of roughly 1.5 million people in the northern city where he once served as bishop. The outdoor Mass took place on a barren field outside Chiclayo, a distance of 10,700 km (6,650 miles) from Rome, where the former Robert Prevost continues to be cherished by the community as a Padre (Father) or Amigo (Friend).
The event, held at the Pampas de Pimentel, a desert park west of Chiclayo, was met with great enthusiasm as people lined up on foot and in vehicles to catch a glimpse of the pontiff. As Leo arrived in his open-air popemobile, cheers erupted from the crowd, with many exclaiming, "Pope Leo is here!" and "The pope is from Chiclayo!"
In a sermon delivered amidst the scorching sun, the Pope expressed his gratitude for being able to return to his adopted hometown exactly a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. Despite the surgery being a "time of trial," Pope Leo conveyed his appreciation to the people of Chiclayo for their unwavering support.
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