Pope Leo XIV, currently on a 12-day tour of Latin America, made an emotional return to his former diocese in Peru this weekend. During a visit to the isolated Andean town of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, the pontiff spoke out against the increasing violence in the country, urging citizens to avoid responding to injustice with brutality.
Speaking to a crowd of approximately 20,000 people at an outdoor Mass on Saturday, the leader of the Catholic Church stated that selfishness, injustice, and evil are not overcome through force, but through patience and perseverance. Earlier, at his former cathedral in Chiclayo, the Pope noted that many are feeling threatened by widespread violence and the uncertainty it creates.
The Pope, who served as the bishop of the Chiclayo diocese from 2015 to 2023, arrived in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba by helicopter to a crowd that significantly outnumbered the town's resident population of 6,000. During the sermon, he also addressed the challenges facing rural communities, specifically mentioning the suffering of families forced to migrate to coastal cities and the impact of declining birth rates on village life.
The Pope’s visit comes amid concerns over public security in Peru. According to official figures, the national homicide rate has nearly doubled over the last five years, rising from 5.8 to 10.7 per 100,000 people. Additionally, reports of extortion cases surged from 2,421 in 2019 to 26,734 in 2025.
Key facts
- Pope Leo served as the bishop of the Chiclayo diocese in Peru from 2015 to 2023.
- About 20,000 people attended the outdoor Mass in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a town of roughly 6,000 residents.
- Over 40% of the population in the Cajamarca region lives in poverty, the highest rate in Peru.
- Peru's extortion cases rose from 2,421 in 2019 to 26,734 in 2025.
- The US-born Pope, previously known as Robert Francis Prevost, became a Peruvian citizen in 2015.
Why it matters
Security was a central issue during the last national election in Peru. Following his inauguration in July, President Keiko Fujimori has declared states of emergency in several areas, including Lima and in various prisons holding inmates linked to criminal organisations. The government has also strengthened ties with the United States to address regional crime through joint military operations against drug cartels.
Background
Pope Leo XIV was elected in May 2025. He lived in Peru for extended periods between 1985 and 2023, working as a missionary priest and bishop. His current Latin American tour includes stops in Argentina and Uruguay, with plans to conclude his visit to Peru in Cusco and the Amazon rainforest before returning to Rome.
Source: BBC, Al Jazeera
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