Pope Leo XIV made a visit to Peru, where he addressed the nation’s escalating security challenges during stops in his former diocesan territories. The pontiff spoke at his former cathedral in Chiclayo and later presided over an outdoor Mass in the remote Andean town of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, which drew approximately 20,000 attendees despite the locality’s population of roughly 6,000.
The pope’s visit occurred amid significant crime concerns affecting the country. Peru’s homicide rate has experienced substantial growth in recent years, rising from 5.8 to 10.7 per 100,000 people. Additionally, reported extortion cases have surged dramatically, increasing from 2,421 in 2019 to 26,734 in 2025 based on official statistics. These security issues emerged as a primary concern for voters in the country’s recent election.
During his addresses, Leo emphasized that violence and injustice should not be countered with brutality, but rather through nonviolent means including prayer, patience, and perseverance in advocating for necessary reforms. He encouraged people to work systematically toward positive change while voicing opposition to wrongdoing through determined pleas.
The pontiff also highlighted the challenges facing rural communities in the region, where outmigration and declining birth rates continue to depopulate villages. He referenced the hardship experienced by those forced to leave their homes seeking improved opportunities in larger coastal urban centers.
Leo, who holds both United States and Peruvian citizenship and was formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, spent two decades working in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop, serving as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. He arrived in the remote mountain town by helicopter, marking a contrast to his previous visits when he personally drove along winding mountain roads in a pickup truck.
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