Pope Leo declares Peru his "homeland"

Pope Leo XIV declared Peru his "homeland" on Wednesday as he arrived in Lima at the start of his historic visit, returning to the place that taught him how to be a pastor and where a nationwide party erupted to welcome the beloved "Padre Roberto" home.

Leo seemed genuinely moved as he emerged from his Aerolineas Argentinas charter plane, smiling broadly at nearly every turn of his first moments on Peruvian soil.

The Vatican estimated that some 3 million people lined Leo's kilometers-long (miles-long) motorcade route into town, waving Peruvian and Holy See flags.

Some in the roaring crowds broke through the tight security to chase behind the car that transported him to the presidential palace, where Leo met privately with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. During the formal welcome ceremony in the palace courtyard, he sang the Peruvian national anthem alongside Fujimori and a children's choir.

In his first remarks to Fujimori and government officials, the Chicago-born Leo said the Peruvian citizenship he acquired in 2015 cemented a bond that began long before, crediting Peruvians with having formed him as a pastor by sharing their lives, joys and struggles with him.

"That is why I can tell you, with deep gratitude, that I am also returning to my homeland," he said to applause.

The visit to Peru marked the final leg of Leo's three-nation South America tour and its emotional highlight, given the more than two decades that the former Robert Prevost spent in Peru as a missionary priest and later bishop. He has said it was here that he learned "what it means to be a shepherd." As a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, he's the first pope from each country.