The pontiff called for stronger democratic institutions, public safety and regional cooperation as he returned to the country he considers his homeland.
Pope Leo XIV urged Peruvian authorities to make human dignity a cornerstone of public policy, strengthen democratic dialogue and address citizens’ everyday concerns as he began a six-day visit to the country on Wednesday, returning to the homeland where he spent more than two decades as a missionary and bishop.
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Addressing government officials, including President Keiko Fujimori, at Lima’s National Theater, the pontiff stressed that public service must begin with listening to citizens, particularly in a multilingual country where everyone must have the opportunity to make themselves heard.
“To love a people means wanting everyone to be able to live with dignity in that country, taking an interest in its well-being and being willing to offer something of oneself for the common good,” he said.
Back in Peru—a country he called home for more than two decades—Pope Leo XIV spoke to authorities, civil society and members of the diplomatic corps in his first public address at the “Gran Teatro Nacional” in Lima.
“This return visit holds a very special meaning for me,” he…
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 12, 2026
A personal return to Peru
Leo XIV described his return as deeply personal, recalling the ties he had forged with Peru long before becoming bishop of Chiclayo.
“I can say with profound gratitude that I am also returning to my homeland,” he said, recounting how his missionary work brought him into close contact with local communities, whose concerns and faith shaped his experience of the country.
He remembered the families who welcomed him into their homes, shared their meals and made him feel part of their communities. When he acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015, he said, it formalized a bond that had taken years to develop.
“Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you,” he said. “If I were given the chance to live those years again, I would do so gladly, embracing both the happy moments and the difficulties.”
Highlights from Pope Leo XIV’s meeting with authorities and Diplomatic Corps in Lima, where he stressed that "democratic life requires us to recognise that no one has all the answers, and that our differences do not prevent us from sharing a sincere concern for the good of our… pic.twitter.com/HQFculq7gz
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 12, 2026
Public service, security and social welfare
Turning to the responsibilities of government, the pope said public institutions must listen to citizens, explain decisions affecting their lives and provide accessible channels through which people can approach authorities with confidence.
In a country where many languages are spoken, he added, listening also means ensuring that everyone can make themselves understood.
He said democratic life requires acknowledging that no one has all the answers and that political differences should not prevent people from working together for the country’s common good.
The pontiff also highlighted the importance of everyday security and economic stability. People should be able to go to work without fear, care for their children and return home safely, he said, while earning enough to support their families.
He singled out farmers, fishermen, small business owners and urban workers, stressing that their contributions to the country deserved recognition and respect.
He also called for timely healthcare and better support for older people through accessible medical services and stronger preventive care.
Leo XIV paid tribute to Peruvian women who have sustained community kitchens and collective food programs, as well as those contributing to the country through their professions and public responsibilities. He urged authorities to ensure that women could develop their abilities, participate fully in their communities and live free from violence and exploitation.
Climate preparedness and regional cooperation
The pope called for stronger disaster preparedness amid warnings of an intense El Niño phenomenon, urging authorities to anticipate risks and improve protections for the population.
While recognizing the role technology can play in these efforts, he stressed the need for adequate legal safeguards to prevent abuses and protect people from their consequences.
In his first public address in Peru, Pope Leo highlighted his long-held roots to the country and urged leaders to help protect the “everyday peace” of its people.
He stressed that “to love a people is to desire that everyone may live with dignity among them, to take an interest… pic.twitter.com/qSlWQxLEy3
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 12, 2026
Environmental protection and the responsible use of new technologies, he said, also require cooperation between countries. He called for stronger regional dialogue on issues ranging from environmental protection to migration.
Addressing the wars and international tensions affecting communities around the world, Leo XIV urged governments to pursue patient diplomacy, keep dialogue open and respect international law while seeking agreements that protect human life and dignity.
Six-day visit to four Peruvian cities
The visit, which runs through Monday, November 16, is the longest leg of the pope’s South American tour, following stops in Uruguay and Argentina. His itinerary includes Lima, Cusco, Pucallpa and Chiclayo, where he served as bishop for eight years, from 2015 to 2023.
Leo XIV arrived in Lima from Buenos Aires on Wednesday. Thousands of people lined the streets of the capital to welcome him, waving yellow and white balloons and holding signs bearing messages of support. Traveling in the popemobile with its window down, he greeted the crowds as they chanted, “The pope is Peruvian” and “Long live Pope Leo XIV.”
After meeting Fujimori and holding a brief audience with her cabinet, he delivered his first address in the country at the National Theater.
On Thursday, he is scheduled to meet representatives of various sectors of Peruvian society in Lima’s main square. His itinerary also includes a return to Chiclayo, where he served as bishop before Pope Francis summoned him to the Vatican in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops.
In the Amazonian city of Pucallpa, he will meet representatives of Indigenous communities, in an encounter similar to one held during Francis’ 2018 visit to Peru. In Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, he is scheduled to lead the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer in the city’s main square.
The pope will also celebrate large public Masses in Lima and Chiclayo. In Zaña, he will preside over the closing of the jubilee year marking the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Spanish missionary Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, to whom Leo XIV is devoted and whose shrine is located in the town where the saint died.
This is the third papal visit to Peru, following those of John Paul II in 1985 and Francis in 2018. It is, however, the first by a pope who holds Peruvian citizenship. Leo XIV lived in the country for more than 20 years, progressing from missionary work to the leadership of the Diocese of Chiclayo.
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