Pope Leo XIV spoke about the “dignity of all” in his first speech in Lima, following his return to Peru on an official visit. Credit: Presidency of Peru, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 / Flickr.
Pope Leo XIV returned to Peru, the country that shaped much of his religious journey and that he considers his second homeland, with a message centered on human dignity, reconciliation, security, and environmental protection.
During his first speech in Lima, delivered before political authorities led by President Keiko Fujimori and representatives of civil society, the pontiff recalled the personal ties he forged during nearly two decades of pastoral work and stressed the need for all citizens to live without fear and have opportunities to provide for their families.
“To love a people is to want everyone to live with dignity, to care about them, and to be willing to give something of oneself for their well-being,” Leo XIV said at Lima’s Gran Teatro Nacional. His remarks marked the beginning of the final leg of his South American tour, following visits to Uruguay and Argentina, and included references to the political, social, and economic challenges facing Peru, a country he was visiting for the first time as pontiff since his election in May 2025.
Pope Leo XIV returns to Peru: ‘to love a people is to want everyone to live with dignity’
The pope’s arrival was marked by a massive welcome and an outpouring of affection from Peruvians, who greeted him with flags, songs, and messages of welcome. During his drive through Lima, crowds chanted, “The pope is Peruvian,” reflecting his close relationship with the country since he first arrived in 1985 as an Augustinian priest.
Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, carried out much of his religious work in Peru. He served as a missionary, held ecclesiastical responsibilities in various regions, and was bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. In 2015, he also became a Peruvian citizen, a distinction he recalled during his address to government officials.
“My story with Peru began long before the Lord entrusted me with the Diocese of Chiclayo,” he explained. The pontiff recalled the years he spent sharing the daily lives of local communities, listening to their concerns, and becoming familiar with their traditions and faith.
He even humorously remembered the occasions when residents welcomed him into their homes and shared their meals with him, including ceviche. “They made me feel like one of their own,” he said.
Now, in his role as head of the Catholic Church, he considers that experience an integral part of his personal history and his formation as a pastor. “I can tell you, with profound gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland,” he said, prompting applause from those in attendance.
Leon XIV addressed the Peruvian people at an event alongside President Keiko Fujimori at the Gran Teatro de Lima. Credit: Presidency of Peru, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 / Flickr.
Reconciliation, security, and dignity for families
Beyond the personal significance of his return, Leo XIV used his first speech to address the challenges facing Peru. The country has experienced prolonged institutional instability and is grappling with security problems linked to the growth of criminal organizations, extortion, and homicides.
Against this backdrop, he called for painful episodes in Peru’s history to be addressed “with justice and sensitivity,” warning against allowing political and social divisions to become obstacles to peaceful coexistence. He also urged Peruvians to embrace “honesty, integrity, and a willingness to engage with one another” as essential conditions for strengthening democratic institutions.
Violence was another major focus of his remarks. The pope defended families’ right to go about their daily lives without fear and stressed that peace must translate into tangible security.
“For families, peace has a very concrete meaning: going to work without fear, caring for their children, and returning home with peace of mind,” he said. He also expressed the Church’s solidarity with those affected by violence and supported efforts to protect life, human dignity, and human rights through justice.
Environmental protection and recognition of Peru’s diversity
The pontiff also addressed the country’s environmental and economic challenges, particularly in a nation encompassing Andean, Amazonian, and coastal ecosystems. In his speech, he advocated for the responsible use of natural resources, taking into account both environmental protection and the rights of communities that depend on them.
Leo XIV also recognized the contributions of farmers, fishermen, small business owners, and urban workers to national development. For the pope, ensuring that these people can provide a decent living for their families is also part of building lasting peace.
He further highlighted Peru’s cultural diversity and the importance of preserving the traditions of its different regions. He argued that challenges involving the environment, migration, and new technologies require solutions built through dialogue and international cooperation.
After his stop in Lima, the pontiff will continue his journey to Chiclayo, where he carried out a significant part of his pastoral work, before visiting other regions of the country. His return represents not only the conclusion of a South American tour but also a reunion with a society that helped shape his religious and personal journey.
¡Bienvenido nuevamente a casa, Santo Padre!
El Perú lo recibe con el corazón abierto, con mucho cariño y una inmensa alegría. Lo hemos extrañado y hoy nos llena de emoción tenerlo nuevamente con nosotros. https://t.co/1LL2rVJ4mG
— Keiko Fujimori (@KeikoFujimori) November 11, 2026