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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV returns to his former diocese of Chiclayo, Peru

The Holy Father led the Chiclayo Diocese from 2015–2023.

Pope Leo XIV returned to Chiclayo, Peru, on Nov. 13, visiting the South American diocese he led for nearly a decade and celebrating Mass there as pope for the first time.

The Holy Father led the Chiclayo Diocese from 2015 to 2023 before then-Pope Francis appointed him as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. The pope has referred to Peru as his “homeland”; prior to leading the Diocese of Chiclayo he served as a missionary there for years.

Here are photos of Pope Leo in Chiclayo on Nov. 13:

Peruvian dancers perform for Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Peruvian dancers perform for Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics upon his arrival in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds while arriving for Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV blesses while processing into Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV processes into Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV prays during Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
A woman smiles while attending Pope Leo XIV’s papal Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass near Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV visits a chapel dedicated to St. Óscar Romero in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV visits a chapel dedicated to St. Óscar Romero in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks to bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians, synodal teams, and pastoral councils at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Crowds gather as Pope Leo XIV speaks to bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians, synodal teams, and pastoral councils at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV smiles during a visit to St. Turibius of Mogrovejo Catholic University in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV listens during a visit to St. Turibius of Mogrovejo Catholic University in Chiclayo, Peru, Nov. 13, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Follow the LIVE UPDATES from EWTN News in English for special coverage during Pope Leo’s Apostolic Trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

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