Andina

Pope Francis to arrive in Peru today

00:04 | Lima, Jan. 18.

Pope Francis will land in Lima today for a 4-day visit to Peru.

His arrival is slated for Thursday at 5:20 PM (local time) at Air Group N°8, where he will be welcomed by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

The Supreme Pontiff will visit three cities while in the Inca country.

He will travel to Puerto Maldonado —the capital of rainforest Madre de Dios region— on January 19.

On January 20, the Catholic Church's leader will head to La Libertad region's capital city Trujillo on Peru's northern coast.

According to schedule, the Supreme Pontiff will hold a multitudinous mass at Lima's Las Palmas Air Base on January 21.

This will be the first time —in almost 30 years— that a Supreme Pontiff visits the Inca nation after Pope John Paul II's May 1988 tour.

The current Pontiff will find a recovered and healthy nation, with indicators dissimilar from those reported during Pope John Paul II's visits.

60% of nationals believe Pope Francis' arrival in the Inca country will have a positive impact on the nation.

Likewise, the visit is expected to generate a direct economic benefit worth US$91 million and draw 30,000 foreign tourists.

(END) JAA/MVB

Published: 1/18/2018