Pope’s visit to Latin America: In Peru, Leo XIV seen as a native son

Developing story first seen 7 hours ago

Le Monde · 7 hours ago

Newly available details show Pope Leo XIV is expected to use his six-day visit to Peru to address corruption, crime and protection of Amazonian communities, while engaging a deeply divided Church. The trip carries personal significance: he spent more than 20 years in Peru and became a Peruvian citizen, and many there regard him as one of their own.

The 71-year-old is making the 6–17 November tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru despite recent surgery to remove a lung lobe containing a malignant tumour. His demanding schedule includes 12 flights, 40 speeches and nine large Masses; in Peru he is due to meet President Keiko Fujimori and travel from the coast to the Andes and Amazon. Observers also expect his visit to test his ability to build bridges across political and church divisions in a region home to roughly half the world’s Catholics.

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In short

Leo XIV is returning to Peru, where he spent more than 20 years.
His Peru visit follows surgery to remove a lung lobe.
His speeches may carry weight amid political and church divisions.

How this story developed

32 minutes ago The article text is an access restriction notice, so the story itself is unavailable. The headline indicates that Pope Leo XIV is viewed as a native son in Peru during his visit to Latin America.
2 hours ago Newly available details show Pope Leo XIV is expected to use his six-day visit to Peru to address corruption, crime and protection of Amazonian communities, while engaging a deeply divided Church.

Explained simply

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, which has a large following across Latin America. The pope leads the Church worldwide and also serves as head of state of Vatican City.

Leo XIV was born in the United States and has Peruvian nationality after years of work in Peru as a priest and bishop. That connection helps explain why some people in Peru may see him as one of their own.

A papal visit can bring attention to the Church’s role in public life and to local Catholic communities. Peru is one of several countries in Latin America with a substantial Catholic population.