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Pope Leo XIV Returns to Chiclayo for Emotional Mass

Updated 10:47 PM ET · 9:43 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV returned to Chiclayo, Peru, for a Mass where he emphasized the importance of synodality and unity.

Pope Leo XIV returns to city he served as bishop. WPLG Local 10

Pope Leo XIV returned to Chiclayo, Peru, on November 13, for a Mass that drew an estimated 500,000 people, according to NBC News and Aleteia. The pope, who served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023, was greeted with great enthusiasm, with some people waiting since the previous night to catch a glimpse of him, as NBC News reported.

Ewtnnews and the National Catholic Register noted that the pope emphasized the importance of recognizing Christ's voice and referred to Peru as his “homeland.” He also highlighted the significance of synodality, describing it as “walking together, listening, discerning and sharing responsibility in the mission,” as reported by the National Catholic Register.

During his homily, Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy at returning to Chiclayo, stating, “What a joy it is to return to Chiclayo. It is a blessing for me to be with you once again,” as OSV News reported. He also acknowledged the challenges of religious indifference, materialism, and selfishness, urging the faithful to confront these issues with courage.

The pope’s visit was marked by a heartfelt and vulnerable disclosure, coming exactly one month after his lung cancer surgery, as OSV News noted. He completed a full circuit in the popemobile among the crowd, according to Aleteia, despite oppressive heat and dust.

NBC News reported that the crowds in Chiclayo were smaller than those in Lima, where an estimated 3 million people welcomed the pope. However, the enthusiasm in Chiclayo was palpable, with people lining the motorcade route and vendors selling hats, mini pope dolls, and sweet Peruvian bread.

Pope Leo XIV called for synodality to be practiced as service, discernment, and appreciation of charisms or initiatives, emphasizing that the participation of the laity is not a concession but an expression of their baptismal dignity.

The pope’s return to Chiclayo also brought together two significant aspects of his life: his Augustinian spirituality and his service to the community of Chiclayo, as Warpbeat noted. Two gifts were being prepared for the pope, including an earthwork completed just days before his arrival, as Aleteia reported.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his activities in Peru on November 13 and began his return journey to Rome, arriving the following day, according to reports.

Background

What's confirmed

• The Holy Father led the Chiclayo Diocese from 2015–2023.
• 13: Peruvian dancers perform for Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov.
• The pope has referred to Peru as his “homeland”; prior to leading the Diocese of Chiclayo he served as a missionary there for years.
• 13, visiting the South American diocese he led for nearly a decade and celebrating Mass there as pope for the first time.

What's still developing

• “Learning to recognize the Lordʼs voice is essential,” the pope told some 60,000 young people at a Lima stadium vigil, pointing to Christʼs passion as the model.
• But their enthusiasm more than made up for their smaller numbers as the former Bishop Robert Prevost of Chiclayo returned to this coastal city of nearly 700,000 as the leader of the Catholic Church.
• LIMA, Peru — Pope Leo XIV made a triumphant return Friday to the Peruvian city of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop for eight years and was affectionately nicknamed “Padre Roberto.” Leo arrived in a plane decorated with “#LeoXFliesHome” stickers and he was greeted with a sign at the airport bearing the same message.
• It was a heartfelt and vulnerable disclosure from the pope exactly one month after his lung cancer surgery in which the lower lobe of his right lung was removed a little more than three weeks before the longest international trip of his pontificate.
• Now, three days before Leo XIV returns to the city that knew him first, the earthwork goes down in Chiclayo.
• Marc Havener’s Resonate Pictures has already been to Chiclayo: scouting land with Father Cesar, walking the streets, talking to people who remember the bishop who stayed.

Sources

• Ewtnnewslink
• NBC Newslink
• National Catholic Registerlink
• OSV Newslink
• aleteia.orglink
• Warpbeatlink
• Aleteialink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Urges Unity in Divided Peru link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Concludes Argentina Visit With Prison Ministry and Mass link
• WPLG Local 10 — video link
• WPLG Local 10 — video link
• Scripps News — video link
• Associated Press — video link