Pope Leo thanks Peru for its warm welcome: 'I am at home here'

At the close of his first day in Peru, Pope Leo greets the faithful outside Lima’s Apostolic Nunciature, asking them to pray for peace and to foster unity in their families.

Pope Leo XIV is back in Peru, where he served for years as an Augustinian missionary and later as Bishop of Chiclayo. The highlights of his first day take us from his welcome at Callao Air Base to his meeting with President Keiko Fujimori and his address to civil authorities, representatives of civil society and diplomats at Lima’s Grand National Theatre.

Goodnight, Lima. Goodnight, Peru.

At the end of the day, after dinner, the Pope stepped out onto the balcony of the Apostolic Nunciature and greeted the faithful who had gathered to wish him goodnight. “I have returned home,” he told them. “Here I am at home.” He thanked them for their welcome, asked them to pray for peace and joked that the celebrations could go on a little longer, but not too long, since the neighbours wanted some peace of their own.

Before leading the crowd in the Our Father and giving his blessing, Pope Leo called for “a special prayer for your families”. “It is very important to think of families and to look for ways to foster unity in our own families,” he said.

“Goodnight,” he said finally, before ending with a “see you tomorrow”.

Looking ahead

On Thursday, Pope Leo will meet Peru’s bishops and preside over Midday Prayer in Lima’s cathedral before taking part in a gathering on the challenges and hopes of the Peruvian people in the square outside.

Francesca Merlo – Lima, Peru
Source: vaticannews.va/en