Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey through South America entered its final stretch on Tuesday. Arriving from Buenos Aires, the Holy Father landed in Lima to begin the third and final leg of a trip that takes him back to a nation he himself describes with deep emotion as “one of his many homes.”

The arrival in the Peruvian capital marks a highly anticipated reunion. Far from being just another protocol stop, this visit represents the Pope’s return to the country where he spent two decisive decades that shaped his vocation, first as an Augustinian missionary priest from 1985 and later as head of the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop until 2023.

From the very beginning of his papacy, when he offered a special message in Spanish from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to his “beloved diocese of Chiclayo,” Leo XIV’s affectionate bond with the Peruvian people has remained strong. Now, this journey through Peru allows the Pope to once again embrace a community that witnessed him walk, listen, and share the faith during many years of pastoral work.

With an agenda focused on both spiritual encouragement for the faithful and close dialogue with bishops, civil society, and local authorities, this final stage in Peru promises moments of intense human and ecclesial closeness, sealing a South American journey full of meaning for the Church and for the thousands of believers who eagerly awaited this emotional return home.