Pope Leo XIV returns to Peru: 'Much of my own story belongs to you'

LIMA, Peru — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in a spectacular homecoming that drew an estimated three million people to the streets to greet him.

Leo, a U.S. citizen but also a naturalized citizen of the country where he served as a missionary and bishop for about 20 years before becoming pope, met privately with President Keiko Fujimori, then addressed her and other dignitaries about Peru’s current state and prospects.

“For decades, I shared in the lives of its people, listened to their concerns, and learned from their faith,” the pope said, drawing laughter when he noted that he also ate ceviche, a traditional Peruvian dish based on raw fish.

“Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you.”

Invoking his deep personal experience — “I recall seemingly simple conversations in which the difficulties of a family or the hopes of an entire community came to light” — Leo called on Fujimori and other public officeholders to listen to their citizens.

The pope referred gently to the national reconciliation process still underway in Peru after decades of left-wing terrorism, followed by years of a…