Pope Leo returns to remote Peruvian town as first Peruvian pontiff

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 18:43 · Archive

Pope Leo, the first Peruvian-born pope, visited a remote Andes town where he once served as bishop.

Pope Leo visited Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a remote town of under 6,000 inhabitants in Peru's western Andes, on a special stop during his 12-day South America tour. The town lies 100 km east of the Pacific Coast in Cajamarca, one of Peru's poorest regions where up to 40 per cent of the population lives in poverty. Leo served as bishop of Chiclayo, a larger city four hours' drive away, from 2015 to 2023, and made this journey many times on winding mountain roads. This visit marks his emotional return home as the first Peruvian citizen to become pope.

Leo arrived by helicopter rather than by road, and was greeted by local bands and crowds who gathered in a field for Mass. Buildings in the city centre, developed in Spanish colonial style, had been painted with murals depicting the pope during his time as a bishop. Speaking at a local parish shortly after arrival on Saturday, Leo said he felt 'great joy' at visiting the town again. 'It is like a very big dream that the Lord has allowed this servant to come here,' he said. He later celebrated Mass on a field near the parish.

Leo, originally from Chicago, lived about 20 years in Peru as a missionary and holds both US and Peruvian citizenship. His three-nation South America tour has drawn record crowds of some 12 million people, with Peru being the last and most personal leg of the journey.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo visits remote Andes town on special Peru stopPope Leo has made an emotional return home to Peru for the first Peruvian citizen to become pontiff.Perth Now · 14 Nov, 18:21
• Pope Leo visits remote Andes town on special Peru stopPope Leo has made an emotional return home to Peru for the first Peruvian citizen to become pontiff.The West Australian · 14 Nov, 18:21

In this story: Pope Leo · Peru · Santa Cruz de Succhabamba · Chiclayo · Cajamarca · Chicago

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