Pope returns to ‘beloved’ Peruvian hometown
The visit is the emotional highlight of the pope’s South American tour, marking his return to the city where he served the Church for nearly a decade as Robert Francis Prevost.
Pope Leo XIV returned to his adopted hometown of Chiclayo, Peru, on Friday, amid a warm welcome from half a million people braving desert heat. The emotional homecoming marks the emotional centerpiece of the pope's South American tour. Pope Leo XIV, 71, expressed gratitude for the affection, support, and prayers, particularly for his health during his recovery from cancer.
The faithful traveled long distances in Peru's vast Pampas de Pimentel plain, with soldiers handing out water and firefighters providing assistance. Families braved the dust for hours to see the Pope, despite temperatures exceeding 86 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the visitors, Cesar Arroyo Serquen, pushed a cart carrying an image of Jesus through deep sand, describing the Pope's visit as a "blessing for our people and...a joy from God."
The Pope, who holds Peruvian citizenship, paid tribute to the "beloved Diocese of Chiclayo" during his first speech as Pope. Bishop Prevost left a significant mark in Chiclayo, visiting poor communities, including one he helped rebuild after natural disasters, during his nine-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. The Pope's visit has also allowed him to reconnect with old friends, including his goddaughter Mildred, whose daughter is also named after his mother.
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- Pope returns to ‘beloved’ Peruvian hometown freemalaysiatoday.com
- Pope Leo XIV draws more than 50,000 Peruvian youths to a soccer stadium: ‘Be passionate about everything worth fighting for’ english.elpais.com
- Pope returns to 'beloved' Peruvian hometown channelnewsasia.com
