Pope Leo returns to national party in his second homeland of Peru

LIMA, Peru — Pope Leo XIV arrived in his second homeland of Peru on Wednesday, returning to the place that he credits with teaching him how to be a pastor and where a nationwide party awaits to welcome their beloved “Padre Robert” home. The visit to Peru marks the final leg of Leo’s three-nation South America tour and its emotional highlight, given the more than two decades that the former Robert Prevost spent in Peru as a missionary priest and later bishop. As a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, he’s the first pope from each country. Leo’s charter plane touched down at a Lima-area air base, where he was welcomed by President Keiko Fujimori. Leo seemed genuinely moved as he emerged from his Aerolineas Argentinas charter plane, smiling broadly as he greeted Fujimori and embracing two children who brought him flowers. He plunged into the crowd of well wishers on the tarmac who waved flags of Peru and the Vatican and stopped to hold a baby and listen to a children's choir. The elation over the pope's return was felt across Peru. “My heart is so excited that it makes