World · Latin America · 6 hrs ago
Pope Leo calls for an end to violence during Peru visit
Pope Leo visited Santa Cruz de Succhabamba in Peru’s Andes on Saturday, returning to a community he knew as a bishop.
He served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 and spent about 20 years working in Peru.
At an outdoor Mass attended by about 20,000 people, he urged people not to answer injustice with brutality.
His appeal comes as Peru faces rising crime: the homicide rate has nearly doubled in five years, while reported extortion cases have increased sharply.
Leo also highlighted the pressures on rural communities, where people leave for coastal cities and declining birth rates are emptying villages.
He called for prayer, patience and determined efforts to challenge wrongdoing and bring about change.
On Sunday, he is due to visit Cusco and Pucallpa before the end of his Peru tour.
Pope Leo XIV visited Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a remote town in Peru where he served as bishop of Chiclayo.
He arrived by helicopter on Saturday, November 14, and celebrated an outdoor Mass attended by about 20,000 people.
Leo urged people not to answer injustice and violence with brutality, but with prayer, patience and perseverance.
He also spoke about the hardships facing rural communities, including people leaving their homes for coastal cities.
The visit was part of the final leg of his 12-day South America tour.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, visited the town.
- What
- He returned to a remote town he had visited as bishop and celebrated Mass there.
- When
- Saturday, November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Santa Cruz de Succhabamba in Peru’s western Andes.
- Why
- It was a special stop on his Peru tour and a return to a community he had served while bishop of Chiclayo.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo served as bishop of Chiclayo and made repeated visits to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba.
Leo travelled by helicopter to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba and was welcomed by crowds.
He celebrated an outdoor Mass attended by about 20,000 people and spoke about violence and rural hardship.
Leo was due to return to Chiclayo ahead of visits to Cusco and Pucallpa on Sunday.
- Town
- Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, Peru
- Crowd
- About 20,000 people at the outdoor Mass
- Former role
- Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023
- Population
- Under 6,000, according to the Straits Times
- Journey
- About 100 km (62 miles) east from the Pacific coast
3 sources
What people are saying
Selfishness, injustice and evil are not overcome by brutality, but by prayer, patience and perseverance in denouncing what is wrong, by making our pleas with determination and working diligently to bring about the necessary changes
It is like a very big dream that the Lord has allowed this servant to come here
When strength is lacking, he is your nourishment
There is enormous hope and emotion today