Madar (International) - Pope Leo XIV made an emotional return to Chiclayo, his former diocese in Peru, thanking crowds for their support during his recovery exactly one month after lung cancer surgery, Al Jazeera English reported on Friday, 13 November 2026, citing Reuters and The Associated Press.
About 500,000 people attended the Mass he celebrated at Pampas de Pimentel, a desert park just outside the city, according to Vatican estimates, while another million lined his motorcade route.
"What a joy it is to return to Chiclayo," the pope said as he opened his homily, adding: "As I look at your faces, a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord arises in my heart."
Born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost, Leo spent about two decades as a missionary priest in Peru and was bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023; locals still call him "Padre Roberto". He holds Peruvian citizenship and on Wednesday declared Peru his homeland. Doctors have said the cancer was localised, had not spread and would not require further treatment.
Peru is the final stop of a 12-day, three-country South America tour that followed visits to Argentina and Uruguay, with about 12 million people attending his public events so far. He will remain in the Chiclayo area until Sunday for eight events, including a private dinner with the priests he oversaw as bishop.
