Pope Leo XIV delivered addresses in Lima on Thursday, November 12, and in the Chiclayo area in the north of the country on Friday, November 13. Over the two days, he spoke to crowds ranging from small private clergy gatherings to more than 1.5 million people at an outdoor mass in Chiclayo, where he himself served as Bishop from 2015 to 2023. Another million lined the streets of Chiclayo to welcome the Pope.
Pending further coverage of these events, we provide below excerpts of the Pope’s exchange with the President of Peru, Keiko Fujimori, on Nov. 11, as she formally welcomed him to Peru, where he lived for 20 years.
President Fujimori said: “In the face of a frightened world, we Peruvians are called to be courageous men and women. Holy Father, your presence today on Peruvian soil is living proof that we are not alone, and it invites us to always choose the path of faith over fear… This historic visit also calls us to reflect on our most urgent and pressing task: national reconciliation. We have endured many decades of conflict and mistrust. As citizens, we must learn that differences of opinion cannot turn us into enemies…
“Holy Father, you know the soul of the Peruvian people better than anyone. You have broken bread with our families and have witnessed our immense capacity to overcome adversity. But to move forward, Peru needs to reconcile… Peru needs to live in peace with its past in order to embrace its future. We lift our prayers to God and ask you, Holy Father, to accompany us with your prayers so that those of us who bear the responsibility of leading the country may do so with wisdom, humility, and a genuine calling to serve. May healing and reconciliation be the great gift of your visit, one that you plant in our hearts. Welcome to your homeland. Welcome, Holy Father; may God bless Peru.”
The President also stated: “Reconciliation requires us to work tirelessly to bridge those divides, recognizing that wealth and economic investment are truly sustainable only when they generate shared prosperity for everyone—especially our children—by ensuring they have food, safety, and education.”
Pope Leo XIV responded: “Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you…. That is why I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland…
“Listening requires special patience when dealing with disagreements or painful experiences. Peru, too, has gone through difficult times that have tested the ability of its people to live together in harmony. Past events deserve to be treated with justice and sensitivity, leaving room for harmony to grow and for differences to be addressed with respect. Democratic life implies recognizing that no one has all the answers and that differences do not prevent us from sharing a sincere concern for the good of the country. I would like to encourage everyone to cultivate honesty, integrity, and a willingness to engage with others—qualities that sustain trust among people and give strength to the life of institutions….
“The wars and tensions that afflict so many peoples call for patient diplomacy—diplomacy that keeps dialogue open, respects international law, and seeks agreements that protect the lives and dignity of people. Every nation has legitimate aspirations, but none can regard the fate of others as extraneous to its own concern. I encourage Peru to continue contributing to regional and international cooperation and to foster understanding even when positions seem irreconcilable. May we never give up on seeking ways to alleviate the suffering of peoples and move toward peace.”
