Lima, Peru – Pope Leo XIV touched down on Wednesday in his second homeland, greeted by President Keiko Fujimori and a jubilant crowd that stretched for miles along the motorcade route. The pontiff, a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, is the first pope to claim both nationalities, and his arrival sparked a nationwide celebration that many described as a homecoming of a beloved shepherd.

Massive Turnout and Warm Reception

According to the Vatican, roughly three million people lined the streets, waving Peruvian and Holy See flags as the pope’s charter plane touched down. Security was tight, but enthusiastic supporters broke through barriers to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, who embraced two children bearing flowers and exchanged smiles with President Fujimori on the tarmac.

Inside the presidential palace, Leo met privately with Fujimori before joining a formal welcome ceremony in the courtyard. Together they sang the Peruvian national anthem alongside a children’s choir, underscoring the deep cultural and spiritual ties between the pope and the nation.

Local Highlights and Symbolic Gestures

In the port city of El Callao, a towering 46‑foot statue of the pope was unveiled ahead of his visit, while Lima’s cafés offered cappuccinos decorated with his likeness. Long‑time supporters, such as 85‑year‑old Evelina Cruz, expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “We love him so much because he’s worked here, he knows our sufferings.”

Former bishop Zuly Castillo, who served as Leo’s secretary in Chiclayo, recalled the pope’s early missionary work, noting his deep connection to the Peruvian people.

Faith, Hope, and Social Challenges

Leo’s itinerary includes Masses in his former ministries, a celebration at the sanctuary of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo in Zaña, and a speech from the square in front of Lima’s cathedral on Thursday. Observers say his words will be closely watched as Peru confronts severe challenges: the looming El Niño weather pattern, rising violent crime, and persistent income inequality. In 2025, 25.7 % of Peruvians lived in monetary poverty.

Professor Gustavo Morello of Boston College described the trip as “a return to his origins, without any doubt,” while noting that a small elite enjoys GDP levels comparable to some U.S. states, yet most citizens face structural poverty.

Political Context

President Fujimori, who took office in July on a platform of restoring order, faces a surge in homicide rates that have nearly doubled to 10.7 per 100,000 residents. Political scientists warn that many Peruvians feel disillusioned after a decade of instability marked by nine presidents since 2016. The pope’s presence offers a moment of unity and moral encouragement amid widespread weariness toward corruption and ineffective governance.

Rolando Pérez, a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, said the pope’s return “inspires great hope among a large segment of Peruvian society that still perceives and feels the abandonment of the state.” He added that the image of a shepherd who stands with the people resonates deeply in the public consciousness.

Indigenous Outreach and Environmental Concerns

Leo will travel to Pucallpa in the Amazon to celebrate Mass with Indigenous communities, drawing attention to illegal gold mining and coca cultivation that threaten local livelihoods. Pérez highlighted the intersection of environmental crisis, Indigenous exclusion, violence, and extreme poverty in the region.

In Cusco, the pope will meet faithful groups and local traditions before celebrating Mass in the historic main square, a site linked to the 1781 rebellion of Indigenous hero Túpac Amaru II.

Faith Community Perspective

Véronique Lecaros, head of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, noted that while Catholic affiliation has slipped from 76 % in 2013‑14 to about 67 % today, the Church still enjoys higher credibility than any other institution. She believes many Peruvians will listen to the pope and, inspired by his example, may renew their interest in the Church.

The massive crowds expected for the pope’s upcoming Masses reflect both a deep-rooted Catholic heritage and a yearning for moral leadership amid social and economic trials.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.