“I am returning to my homeland,” Pope Leo XIV said at the Gran Teatro Nacional del Peru, in Lima, the capital city of this majority-Catholic nation of 37 million people, on the evening of Nov. 11. “I am very pleased to be back in Peru,” he continued, speaking to an audience composed of Peru’s civil and religious authorities, as well as representatives of its business and cultural communities, and the diplomatic corps.

He thanked President Keiko Fujimori for her “warm words of welcome;”  she had earlier welcomed him at the airport on his arrival from Buenos Aires. He was welcomed by hundreds of excited teenagers at the airport, along with the Catholic bishops of Peru, but that was nothing compared with the extraordinary welcome that followed along the 8-mile route from the airport to the presidential palace. Hundreds of thousands of Peruvians lined both sides of the streets that led to the palace; they waved flags of Peru and the Vatican, chanted and jumped with joy. 

After a private visit to President Fujimori at the palace, the pope then drove across this city of 10 million people to the Gran Teatro Nacional. When he entered, the crowd stood and applauded, some shouted “Bienvenida a casa” (welcome home); others chanted “Il Papa Leon es nuestro hermano” (“Pope Leo is our brother”).

In her speech of welcome, President Fujimori told him, “For Peru, your visit is a source of deep pride and joy. For me, as president of the republic, it represents the highest honor…. It is a feeling I share with millions of Peruvians who make their faith their guiding light and their greatest hope…. Your presence blesses us, Holy Father.”

In her speech she referred to the bloody civil war that took place from 1980 to 2000 between the Peruvian government and leftist guerrilla groups, and she said, “to move forward, Peru needs to heal. No country can live as a prisoner of its wounds. We know that forgiving in the midst of pain is not easy.” She told him, “To reconcile, we need the courage to heal our own wounds and learn to look back with truth and justice, but also with mercy and compassion. Because no country can build its future if it remains a prisoner of hatred and resentment.

She concluded by telling the pope, “May healing and reconciliation be the great gift that your visit leaves planted in our hearts. Welcome to your homeland. Welcome home, Holy Father.”

A True Homecoming

“This return visit holds a very special meaning for me,” the pope said. “My history with Peru began long before the Lord entrusted me with the Diocese of Chiclayo, because “for decades, I shared in the lives of its people, listened to their concerns, and learned from their faith.” He recalled that “many opened the doors of their homes to me, shared their table with me—and, of course, some good ceviche—and made me feel like one of their own.”

The pope stated that his decision to seek Peruvian citizenship, which he received in 2015, “symbolized a bond that this people had been weaving into my life long before. Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you.”

He told those present, “Now I return as the Successor of Peter, called to serve the universal church” and “in light of this responsibility, I recognize in those years a part of the journey through which the Lord was forming me as a shepherd.”

Speaking from the heart, Leo said, “If I were granted the chance to relive those years, I would do so with joy, embracing both their happy moments and their difficulties. That is why I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland.”  

He recalled that Peru’s history “stretching back thousands of years, shaped by peoples of diverse languages and traditions” said “part of that history continues to be told in Quechua, Aymara and the languages of the Amazon.” There are 49 officially recognized languages in Peru today, and Prevost learned Quechua when he lived here.

“Over the centuries,” he said, “other heritages have been woven into it, including the Afro-Peruvian and Asian-Peruvian traditions, which have also helped shape the country’s identity.”

The Gospel of Christ was first proclaimed in this country nearly 500 years ago, in the 1530s and, he said, as Pope Benedict told the assembly of the Latin American Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007, “from the encounter between the Christian faith and the indigenous peoples, there has emerged the rich Christian culture of this continent.”

Leo said “the faith took deep root in these lands and found expression in their traditions and in countless works of charity.” Saint Rosa (1586-1617) a Peruvian mystic, was “the first flower of Latin American holiness,” he stated.

He reminded his audience that “the regions of Peru preserve their own traditions, and each contributes something distinct to national life” and emphasized that “the unity of a people is strengthened when these differences find their place and each person contributes from their own history and convictions.”

Then drawing on his own experience, Pope Leo highlighted the fact that “Peru preserves everyday expressions of solidarity.” He mentioned some, including “communal work projects in which neighbors join forces to carry out a task that benefits everyone, the help families offer one another in times of difficulty, and the hospitality I have witnessed so many times.” In these gestures of solidarity,  he said, “one discovers a way of loving one’s homeland that is manifested, above all, in caring for those who live there.”

He told his audience, “To love a people is to desire that everyone may live with dignity among them, to take an interest in them, and to be willing to offer something of oneself for their good.”   He said he has come to better understand this “sentiment” thanks to the people of this land, and so he wished to share his understanding “with those who hold public office.” 

His use of the term “those who hold public office” was significant. A Vatican source confirmed to America that it means “any individual who works in the public sector, holding an elected, appointed, or official position within legislative, executive, judicial, or municipal institutions.”

It is noteworthy that, like earlier in Argentina, so too in Peru, the Augustinian pope chose to address in particular “those who hold public office,” but perhaps in a softer way. It would seem that his 20-year experience in this country has led him to the conclusion that this very important sector of society warrants special attention.

Understanding the Needs of the People

“Madam President, distinguished officials,” he said, “this concern for the good of others is admirably embodied in public service.” He recalled that Pope Francis, who visited Peru in 2018, stated [in his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”]  that politics is “a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, in as much as it seeks the common good.” 

He reminded his audience that “democratic life brings together people of diverse convictions and aspirations, united by a shared national destiny” and its “institutions provide channels through which these differences can find expression and paths to understanding can be forged.”  Moreover, he said, “public decisions also affect those who live far from the places where they are made, and this should never be forgotten.” His experience in Chiclayo seems to have made him highly sensitive to this reality.

He told the president and those who hold public office, “To understand the needs of those who are far away, we must begin by listening to them.” This is particularly important in Peru, he said, because “so many languages are spoken” so “listening also requires ensuring that everyone can make themselves understood.” Leo explained that “those who turn to public institutions hope to be heard, to understand the decisions that affect them, and to find someone they can turn to with confidence.” He reminded them that “behind the files, routine paperwork or the abstract national census number, there are real people awaiting answers on which much of their peace of mind depends.”

As one who is well known to be a good listener, Leo told Peru’s public office holders that “Listening requires special patience when dealing with disagreements or painful experiences.”

Peru, too, “has gone through difficult times that have tested the ability of its people to live together in harmony,” Leo recalled, seemingly alluding to a period of acts of terrorism by various armed groups including Sendero Luminoso (the Shining Path), a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist- Maoist armed group, and Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group that was met with state repression and massive violations of human rights; there was much violence.

“Past events deserve to be treated with justice and sensitivity, leaving room for harmony to grow and for differences to be addressed with respect,” Leo said. He reminded his audience in this polarized, unstable political society that “Democratic life implies recognizing that no one has all the answers and that differences do not prevent us from sharing a sincere concern for the good of the country.”

Having lived here for two decades, Leo is well aware that corruption is widespread in Peru including among many who hold public office. In his speech, however, he never used the word corruption. Instead, he said:

“I would like to encourage everyone to cultivate honesty, integrity and a willingness to engage with others—qualities that sustain trust among people and give strength to the life of institutions.”

Peru now faces a severe security crisis driven by organized crime, extortion targeting public transport and local businesses, and political instability, according to Human Rights Watch. Aware of this, Leo reminded those in public office that “for families, peace has a very concrete meaning: going out to work without fear, caring for one’s children, and returning home with peace of mind.” He remarked, “These are simple aspirations, but no one should be deprived of them.” He said “the Church is aware of the suffering caused by violence and wishes to remain close to those who endure it, encouraging the efforts of all who work to protect the life, dignity, and rights of people through law and justice.”

He next emphasized the importance of [those in public office] respecting the dignity of workers, in this country where 25 percent of the population are living in poverty, and said “Providing for one’s family with dignity is also part of that everyday peace.” He mentioned those “who cultivate the land, the fishermen who go out to sea, small business owners, and those who keep cities running” and said “each of these jobs contributes to the life of the nation and deserves to be recognized in its dignity.”

Pope Leo reminded his audience that “there are goods that no economic prosperity can replace: peace of conscience, the certainty of being loved, and the freedom to seek the truth and to guide one’s life according to it.”

He expressed his gratitude to the teachers in the various regions of Peru who help children in their quest for truth and “pass on to their students the values of their faith so that they may learn to know and love it.” He emphasized, however, that “the horizons that open up in the classroom must later be matched by real opportunities,” here referring to the young people, who count for almost 40 percent of the population of this country, “especially those seeking their first job or preparing for new responsibilities.” He called on those in public office to assist them in developing their talents.

Care for Resources

In his speech, Leo next spoke of the lack of healthcare in many parts of Peru and reminded those with power to change the situation. “When a person falls ill or needs ongoing care, the lives of those around them also change.” He emphasized the importance of “timely medical care, a friendly presence and a word of comfort.” He also highlighted the plight of the elderly, of people with disabilities, and those suffering from loneliness or mental health challenges and pointed out that “many families quietly shoulder this burden, often with great sacrifice.” He encouraged the Peruvian authorities “to support this dedication by providing them with accessible health services and strengthening preventive medicine.”

From his days in Chiclayo he knew well the contribution women make in society, and in his speech he commended the many Peruvian women who run soup kitchens and community meal programs, and those who through their professions and public responsibilities, contribute to the good of the country. He asked for public support for them so they may be able “to freely develop their abilities, participate fully in their communities, and live free from violence and any form of exploitation.”

Pope Leo also called on the Peruvian authorities to ensure that the country’s resources in agriculture, fishing or mining are used with care, and said this “requires caring for nature and respecting the communities that depend on it.” He underlined the need for those in positions of power “to anticipate the risks posed by natural phenomena and better protect the population” and said, “the solidarity that Peruvians demonstrate in the face of emergencies deserves to be matched by equally committed institutions, capable of preventing disasters and acting in a timely manner when a life is in danger.”

“Science and technology help us anticipate many of these risks” and “to improve health care and bring educational opportunities to remote communities,” he said, encouraging their use for the common good; the same is true for artificial intelligence, he said, but emphasized the need for “discernment and a responsible orientation toward the common good” and for “legal safeguards to prevent potential abuses and protect people.”

Pope Leo emphasized that “environmental protection and the responsible use of new technologies also require collaboration among nations” as does the question of migratory movements. He said Peru can play a significant role here.

He recalled that many Peruvians—about 3.5 million—have emigrated to other countries to build their lives but “maintain their affection for their families and contribute to their communities of origin;” they also continue their devotion to the Lord of Miracles, “which continues to bring them together.”

In his speech, Leo also drew attention to “the wars and tensions that afflict so many peoples” and said there is need for “patient diplomacy—diplomacy that keeps dialogue open, respects international law, and seeks agreements that protect the lives and dignity of people.”  He encouraged Peru “to continue contributing to regional and international cooperation and to foster understanding even when positions seem irreconcilable.”

He praised the good relations between Peru and the Holy See which, he said, “are rooted in this spirit of cooperation.” He also noted that the Peruvian Constitution “recognizes the Catholic Church as an important element in the historical, cultural and moral formation of the nation and provides for collaboration between the state and the church, within a framework of independence and autonomy, while also respecting other religious denominations.”

He told his audience of about 400 people that the Catholic Church “wishes to continue offering the Peruvian people what it has received as its mission: to proclaim the Gospel, to accompany those who suffer, and to serve the dignity of every person” as is evident in its communities, in its educational and charitable works, and in the many lay faithful who participate in the life of the country through their professions and civic responsibilities.”

He told those present, “I have received so much from you,” and now “from the See of Peter, I wish to reciprocate such affection with my prayers and my closeness.” As they look to the future, he proposed that they look to “the social doctrine of the church as a guide to enlighten and direct the efforts of all who work for the good of this nation.”  

He asked God to help all those who hold public office “to recognize in every Peruvian a brother or sister, and in each one, yet another reason to love your homeland.” He prayed, “May God bless Peru and all its people.”

Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.