Pope thanks crowds on emotional return to ‘second home’ in Peru’s Chiclayo

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.