At approximately 9:40 a.m., the plane arriving from the city of Chiclayo—carrying Pope Leo XIV—landed at the Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. The Pope will spend the fifth day of his visit to Peru in this "imperial city."
Moments later, the Holy Father disembarked, greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the public—both those watching from homes near the airport and those who had gathered at the exit of the terminal.
A small group of children presented Pope Leo XIV with a bouquet of flowers, which he accepted with a smile. He then greeted regional and local authorities, who gifted him a piece of traditional craftsmanship depicting the "Niño Manuelito" (the Andean version of the Infant Jesus).
Minister of Culture Alberto Beingolea was also present to welcome him. Throughout the city of Cusco, thousands of the faithful and tourists have lined the route that Pope Leo XIV will travel in his popemobile, as he makes his way toward the Plaza de Armas of Cusco and later to the esplanade of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park.
Many of the faithful had been waiting for the Holy Father’s arrival since last night; numerous families and young people spent the night nearby to ensure they would be close to his path. Some brought tents, while others brought chairs for comfort—even as a light drizzle threatened to persist.
In Puqro, the gateway to Sacsayhuamán, a line stretching for kilometers formed as the faithful made their way up to the plateau via Avenida Circunvalación, reaching the area near the massive statue of the "Cristo Blanco" (White Christ). Meanwhile, on Calle del Medio, at the corner of Plaza Regocijo, a large crowd of the faithful has gathered, forming a long line to enter the main square. At one point, the line broke apart, but fortunately, calm was restored, and access is now proceeding normally.
Order and security are being maintained through the deployment of over 4,500 police officers and nearly 5,000 volunteers—known as "Friends of Leo"—who are identifiable by their yellow shirts and blue backpacks. Medical tents have been set up at intersections along the route to handle any emergencies.
The faithful—including tourists from other regions and countries—are carrying small white and yellow flags. Some have purchased white T-shirts featuring an image of the Pope, which vendors began selling early this morning, while others have opted for items such as rosaries or small planters bearing the Holy Father’s image, hoping to have them blessed during his brief visit.
In Plaza San Francisco and Plaza Regocijo, four large screens have been set up so that those who could not gain entry to the designated areas can still see and hear Pope Leo XIV. Vehicular traffic has been restricted on the streets surrounding these squares, and heavy-duty vehicles are not permitted to enter Cusco.
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Published: 11/15/2026