Pope Leo in South America: Welcomed like a long-lost old friend

Pope Leo in South America Received like a long-lost old friend As of: November 15, 2026 • 8:35 a.m

On his longest foreign trip to date as Pope, Leo XIV receives an enthusiastic welcome, especially in Peru and Argentina. What accents did he set in his “second home”? A first assessment of the visit to South America.

The joy knows no bounds. "Leo," they shout, "our friend, Chiclayo is at your side!" And how! Wherever the distinguished guest from Rome appears, he is welcomed like a long-lost old friend. And when he stands up on stage, you almost think he recognizes them all: the people here in Chiclayo.

"I thank you for receiving me with the joy and hospitality so typical of you, for the many signs of affection," says Pope Leo XIV.

Almost at the end of his long journey, the Pope visits his old diocese. The large city of Chiclayo is located in the northeast of Peru. A pretty poor city and people who feel marginalized. "For me, this trip means that a deeply divided country comes together again with the Pope bringing peace and love," says Betty Rodríguez Tuesta.

It gives them strength and courage to carry on and persevere in life, says Ana María Castill. And Salazar Santa Cruz says: "I am a person with disabilities, and in fact we are being let down here in our Peru. That's why I was very proud of what he said about all people with disabilities."

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On this trip, Pope Leo delves deeply into the reality of life in South America. He repeatedly speaks openly in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru about the everyday violence that terrorizes people in these countries: extortion, kidnapping, organized crime.

On Saturday, in the small Peruvian pilgrimage site of Zaña, he said: "I know that many families in this region suffer from crime, extortion and insecurity. It pains me to think of those who live in fear, of those who see the honestly earned fruits of their labor threatened, and of those who still suffer from discrimination."

Peace remains his theme in South America, but this time not on the large world political stage, but on a small scale. At a meeting in the Plaza Mayor in Lima, he complained about the machismo in South American societies. A macho mentality that Leo identifies as the cause of abuse and violence by men against women. He urgently appeals to respect and protect women and girls.

And that in a country where thousands of indigenous women were forcibly sterilized during the reign of President Alberto Fujimori. To this day they are fighting for justice. Fujimori's daughter Keiko is now president. The Pope appeals to them to come to terms with the past with a “sense of justice and sensitivity,” as this is the only way a society can find peace.

Pope Leo XIV visits the former diocese of Chiclayo in Peru It is also deeply divided between conservative and progressive. Women are often marginalized. It's not Leo's fault, says German nun Birgit Weiler, who teaches theology in Lima. "It is clear to him that women who have the gifts and skills for a particular leadership role have the right to the same opportunities when they apply for leadership positions." It's good that he keeps bringing this up. The church in Peru is on the way there, "but there is still enough room for growth."

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Pope Leo was also enthusiastically received in Argentina. Millions were on the streets, at the church services. With his visit, Leo also paid homage to his predecessor, the Pope from Argentina, Francis. Also in terms of content. Francis once said: “This economy kills.” And Leo said twice in the country of President Javier Milei's "chainsaw politics": "People are the originator, center and goal of all economic and social life. That is why the economy must serve people and not people serve the economy."

In their public appearance, these two popes could hardly be more different. The spontaneous Francis and the rather shy Pope Leo. "His character is characterized by a certain shyness. But this is also because he always takes things step by step and carefully considers them before making decisions," says Jasson Sempertegui, the former secretary of Bishop Robert Prevost of Chiclayo. The American-born Robert Francis Prevost was Bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023 after his time as a missionary in Peru.

According to Sempertegui, Leo at the same time enjoyed the enthusiasm with which he was welcomed at all stops on this journey. "He feels extremely comfortable. He likes the feeling of being part of a community."

You notice that - especially when there is singing. Leo, who has just had lung cancer surgery, sings along loud and powerful.

This topic in the program: tagesschau.de | Premiere in South America. First assessment of the Pope's trip | 11/15/2926 | 6:19 a.m.The First | daily news | 11/14/2026 | 8:00 p.m