Pope Leo XIV arrives in Peru, his adopted country, for a reunion with the people

The President of Peru, Keiko Fujimori, extended invitations to counterparts from neighboring nations to participate in an audience with Pope Leo XIV during her first official visit to Latin America to the country.

To date, it has not been officially disclosed who these invitations were addressed to, nor are there any announcements regarding visits by heads of state to Peru due to the papal presence.

However, information has emerged from statements made by the presidents of Colombia and Ecuador, who confirmed receiving the invitations.

Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, stated in a radio interview that he had received the invitation from Fujimori but justified his inability to attend due to current national needs, citing the 'El Niño' situation. Despite this, he affirmed being Catholic and promised to visit the pope 'at some point'.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia confirmed that President Abelardo De la Espriella received the invitation, but forwarded it to the first lady, Ana Lucía Pineda.

Between November 11 and 16, Pope Leo XIV will participate in his first apostolic journey through South America, visiting Peru. This trip represents the pontiff's return to his country of nationality and where he developed part of his religious life.

Before being elected pope, Robert Francis Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo, a city included in this visit's itinerary. Through the Leo Route, a tourist initiative promoted by PROMPERÚ, visitors can explore sites related to the pontiff's pastoral trajectory, complementing the route with historical, cultural, and natural points.

Lima will be the pope's first stop in Peruvian territory, with activities scheduled for November 11 and 12. His arrival is expected at 5:30 PM at the Callao Naval Air Base. The official reception will take place at the Government Palace, where he will meet with President Keiko Fujimori. The agenda also includes meetings with diplomats, civil society representatives, and other authorities at the National Grand Theater.

The following day, the pontiff will have religious commitments in the historic center of Lima. In the morning, he will meet with Peruvian bishops at the Archbishop's Palace and participate in a celebration at the Lima Cathedral Basilica. This cathedral, located in front of the Plaza Mayor, is considered one of the main examples of the city's colonial religious architecture.

In addition to sites linked to the papal visit, tourists in the capital have the opportunity to visit Miraflores and Barranco, neighborhoods highly sought after by visitors, known for their restaurants and Pacific Ocean-facing areas.

Chiclayo, the capital of the Lambayeque region, is one of the central stops of the trip. In the city, the pontiff is recognized by some of the population by the nickname 'Father Roberto,' the name he was known by during his religious work in the region.

The pope will arrive in Chiclayo on the morning of November 13 and will celebrate mass on the esplanade adjacent to the Pampas de Pimentel. Afterwards, he will visit the Chapel of Saint Oscar A. Romero and participate in a meeting with religious figures at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace. The schedule also includes a stop at the Catholic University of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo.

On November 14, he will preside over the coronation rite of the Immaculate Virgin at the Cathedral of Santa Maria, located in front of the Plaza de Armas. It was in this church that Leo XIV celebrated masses while he was the bishop of the city.

Chiclayo also serves as a gateway to historical attractions in Lambayeque, such as the Pyramids of Túcume and the Royal Tombs Museum of Sipán, which exhibits gold and silver artifacts related to pre-Hispanic heritage.

After the ceremony at the Chiclayo Cathedral, Leo XIV will travel to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, in the Cajamarca region. Arrival is expected at 9:50 AM, and at 11:00 AM, the pontiff will celebrate mass on the local esplanade. For those wishing to see this area, points of interest include the Cerro Cotorumi Viewpoint, which offers views of the valley and mountains, and the hot springs of Chancaybaños.

On November 15, the pope will travel to Cusco, a city situated at approximately 3,400 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. The program will begin at the Saqsaywaman National Archaeological Park, where Leo XIV will meet with faithful and representatives of popular devotion. This archaeological complex, notable for its stone structures, is one of the region's main attractions.

Near noon, the pontiff will pray the Angelus in front of the Cusco Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in the Plaza de Armas. Cusco features a historic center characterized by the presence of colonial buildings and vestiges of the Inca civilization. The city also serves as a starting point for the Sacred Valley, an area concentrating archaeological sites and landscapes nestled in the Andean mountains.

Still on the 15th, Leo XIV will proceed to Pucallpa, in the Peruvian Amazon. Located on the banks of the Ucayali River, this city will be the pontiff's last stop before returning to Lima. The agenda in Pucallpa includes the Malecón Puerto Callao, where there will be a meeting with missionaries and representatives of Amazonian peoples. In the afternoon, he will celebrate mass at the Ucayali Regional Sports Villa, before returning to the Peruvian capital during the night.

Pucallpa offers travelers an environment distinct from the other cities on the itinerary, presenting tropical forest landscapes and the presence of the Ucayali River, a daily element of local communities.

On November 16, the last day of the trip, Leo XIV will visit Callao, a port city near Lima and home to Peru's main port. This destination has a connection to the pontiff's religious trajectory, as he served as an apostolic administrator in the region. During the visit, he will meet with professionals and people assisted by the Casa de Acogida de las Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados, an institution dedicated to elder care.

Among the attractions in Callao are the Cathedral Matriz Church, linked to the city's religious history, and the Real Felipe Fortress, a military fortification from the colonial period. Another leisure option is visiting La Punta, a coastal neighborhood situated by the Pacific Ocean.