Pope crosses Peru in finale of trip home to visit flock high in Andes, deep in Amazon

Pope Leo XIV is making a pilgrimage across Peru, focusing on the plight of Indigenous peoples and the protection of the Amazon rainforest during his penultimate day in the country. As part of his visit, the Pope will address communities in the Andes and the rainforest, emphasizing Catholic teachings that link care for vulnerable populations with the preservation of God's creation.

The Pope's itinerary includes stops in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire, and Pucallpa, an Amazonian city where concerns over illegal mining, deforestation, and threats to Indigenous communities will be central. Peruvian Cardinal Pedro Barreto, who represents the Amazon bishops conference, praised the Pope's commitment to accompanying Indigenous peoples in defense of life and the territory, stating that the Pope is "clearing the path" laid out by his predecessor, Pope Francis, on environmental protection and human rights.

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