Pope Leo celebrates Mass in former diocese of Chiclayo

Pope Leo XIV celebrated an outdoor Mass in Chiclayo, the Peruvian city where he served as bishop, as crowds gathered to welcome him during his South America tour. The Vatican estimated that 1.5 million people were on the city’s streets and attended the Mass, held at a field outside Chiclayo on Friday, November 13.

Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, arrived from Lima that morning. People traveled on foot and in vehicles to Pampas de Pimentel, a desert park west of the city. Some had camped overnight, while traffic led others to walk part of the way. At the Mass, Leo thanked residents for their affection and support and said he was grateful to be with them one month after lung cancer surgery.

The Vatican estimate includes both people on the streets and Mass attendees. Chiclayo has about 620,000 residents. The estimate was attributed to the Vatican, and no independent count or methodology was reported. Before Leo’s arrival, church organizers had said as many as one million people could attend the Mass.

Leo served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, after years as a missionary in Peru. Residents who knew him during that period welcomed his return as pope. The city is the...