Pope Leo Returns to Chiclayo for Mass With Former Diocese

Large crowds gathered at Pampas de Pimentel, an arid field outside Chiclayo, for the Mass at the center of the pope’s visit. Traffic forced many people to walk part of the way, while vendors along the route sold hats, small pope dolls and Peruvian bread. Some visitors camped overnight, including Maria Esther Chozo Reyes, who traveled 12 hours by bus from Lima. “We really need his blessing,” she said.

Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, was welcomed back to the city where he spent eight years as bishop and about two decades as a missionary and priest. Residents have called him “Padre” and “Amigo.” A sign at his arrival read “#LeonXIVVuelaACasa,” or “Pope Leo returns home.”

The Mass was the centerpiece of the final leg of Leo’s 12-day South America tour. Officials in Chiclayo estimated that as many as a million people could attend. The city, Peru’s fourth-largest, has a population of about 620,000. Leo was scheduled to remain in the area until Sunday for eight events, including a private dinner with priests who had served under him.

About 10 million people have attended events featuring Leo during the tour. About 3 million gathered in Lima on Wednesday, the largest crowds of his 18-month papacy. During his visit to Peru, he has greeted people from an open-air popemobile and sung local songs at events.

The visit came less than a month after Leo underwent surgery for lung cancer. He appeared in good form during the tour, which also included stops in Argentina and Uruguay. His return to Chiclayo has been described as the most sentimental part of the trip; on Wednesday, he called Peru his homeland.