LIMA, Peru — Peruvian President José María Balcázar announced on Thursday that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Peru during the first half of November.
Following a meeting with the pontiff at the Vatican, Balcázar revealed that the Pope intends to visit Puno, Iquitos, Cusco, Pucallpa, Piura, and Chiclayo—regions where Leo performed pastoral duties for nearly ten years. Born in Chicago, the Pope previously resided in Trujillo on the northwestern coast and obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
Speaking with local radio station RPP, the president noted that the full itinerary remains confidential for the time being due to security protocols and religious policy.
While the Vatican has yet to officially confirm the tour, reports of a South American journey have been widespread. The Pope has previously expressed his own desire to return to the region.
“Argentina and Uruguay are awaiting the Pope’s visit. I believe Peru would also welcome me with open arms, and if I go to Peru, I would also visit many neighboring countries, but the plan is not yet finalized,” the pontiff stated to the press last December following his return from Lebanon.
Among the planned stops is Chiclayo, a critical commercial center on the northern coast with a population exceeding 800,000. Despite its economic importance, the city struggles with significant social challenges, with approximately 20% of its residents living in poverty.
Pope Leo resided in Chiclayo for nearly a decade before relocating to Rome in 2023, after Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Residents of Chiclayo reacted with great enthusiasm when the Pope first addressed the crowds in St. Peter’s Square in Spanish, saying: “My beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop and shared their faith.”
