Pope Leo heads to high Andes on final leg of South America tour

Pope Leo XIV visited the Andes Mountains in Peru on Sunday, concluding his South American tour. The 20-year Peruvian resident aimed to highlight Indigenous rights and Amazon preservation during his final engagements. Landing in Cusco, the former Inca Empire capital, the pontiff emphasized environmental protection and human rights.

Cardinal Pedro Barreto, with the Associated Press, said Leo is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on these issues. The journey continued to Pucallpa, an Amazon city grappling with deforestation and illegal mining.

On Saturday, Pope Leo held an open-air Mass in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, expressing pleasure at returning to the Andean landscape. He also visited Afro-Peruvian society hub Zana, where he apologized for the Church's role in transatlantic slavery. Leo, originally from Chicago, served in Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 before becoming the Vatican's representative.

His stop in Chiclayo was an emotional homecoming, as the city faced political unrest and high homicide rates. Despite challenges, Pope Leo's visit was a source of joy and a platform to voice the community's concerns. He will next travel to Lima before returning to Rome on Monday.