Pope Leo Welcomed in Peru, Calls for Abuse Justice

Pope Leo XIV received an emotional welcome in Chiclayo, Peru, his former diocese, where Vatican estimates put crowds at about 1.5 million across the streets and an outdoor Mass. Many traveled long distances or waited overnight in the heat to see the Chicago-born pontiff, who said returning to his adopted home after lung cancer surgery was a blessing and thanked residents for their support. On the final leg of his South American tour, Leo urged Christians to live as missionaries and called on Peru’s bishops to address poverty and injustice. He also met privately with six people who suffered abuse within the Church and called for truth, justice, reparation and stronger prevention measures.