Pope Leo arrives in Peru where he worked for decades as a missionary

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.

Pope 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 some three million people lined Leo's kilometre-long motorcade route into town, waving Peruvians and Holy See flags.

His first stop was the presidential palace where the pope met with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori.

During the formal welcome ceremony in the palace courtyard, Leo received full military honours and he sang the 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.

"Today I understand how much of this land remains with me and how much of my own story also belongs to you," Leo said.

The visit to Peru marks the final leg of Leo's three-nation South America tour and its emotional highlights, 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.