The Vatican has officially confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will visit Peru from November 11 to 17 as part of a South American tour that will also include Uruguay and Argentina, which he will visit before arriving in Lima, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Which cities in Peru will the head of the Catholic Church visit?
Bruni specified that Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa will be the four cities the pontiff will visit between November 11 and 17.
Each destination reflects a chapter in Robert Prevost's pastoral journey in Peru.
Peru itinerary
The itinerary in Peru will span the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon, carrying special significance because of the pontiff's deep ties to the country, of which he has held Peruvian citizenship since 2015.
Although the Holy See said the detailed itinerary will be released in the coming weeks, national, regional, and Church authorities are already stepping up preparations to welcome the Holy Father.
Lima: Start of the official visit
The capital will be Pope Leo XIV's entry point into Peru. It will also host the official and ceremonial events of the state and pastoral visit.
His Holiness is expected to meet with the country's top authorities and representatives of the Catholic Church in Lima, although the Vatican has not yet released his official schedule.
Chiclayo: Reunion with the "Pope's City"
The visit to Chiclayo, in the northern Lambayeque region, will be one of the most anticipated moments of Pope Leo XIV's trip because of his strong ties to the city and his "beloved Diocese of Chiclayo," as he said on the day he was elected Supreme Pontiff in May 2025.
Robert Prevost served as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. Therefore, he maintains close ties with the people of Lambayeque, who already consider him part of their recent history.
Since his election as pope, numerous stories have emerged bearing witness to that enduring bond.
With Pope Leo XIV's election, Chiclayo appeared on the world map and attracted the attention of thousands of tourists and pilgrims, establishing itself as one of Peru's leading religious tourism destinations with the "Pope's Route."
Regional authorities estimate that more than one million people will travel to the city to take part in the religious events.
To accommodate the expected influx, nearly 3,000 hectares will be made available at the Lambayeque Industrial Park and Port Terminal, where the main Mass is expected to be held, with capacity for up to two million faithful.
In June, a commission comprising representatives of the Vatican, the Apostolic Nunciature, the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP), and government agencies inspected various sites to finalize the official program for the Pope's visit to Chiclayo.
Cusco: A welcome rooted in Andean tradition
Municipal authorities in Cusco plan to hold a welcoming ceremony at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, where the Pope is expected to be greeted by characters representing the Inca world, including the Inca and the Coya.
The municipality plans to present the pontiff with the Key to the City, crafted in gold. It will propose that he celebrate a Mass at the esplanade of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, a venue for major religious and cultural gatherings.
The tourism sector estimates that the visit will help strengthen the "Routes of Faith," boost economic activity, and attract around 300,000 visitors in November.
Pucallpa: The Amazon on the Papal Agenda
The final stage of the tour will take Pope Leo XIV to Pucallpa, in Ucayali region, which could welcome a pontiff for the first time.
A Vatican delegation has already inspected several venues in this city. Among the options under consideration are a Mass at Aliardo Soria Perez Stadium, which has a capacity of about 35,000 people, as well as a meeting with representatives of Indigenous Amazonian communities at Yarinacocha Boulevard.
Regional authorities are also considering other venues, including Centenario Avenue and the Fairgrounds, where between 60,000 and 80,000 faithful could gather.
A visit of profound significance for Peru
The visit will hold deep symbolic significance because of the pontiff's close ties to the country.
Prevost arrived in Peru in 1985 as an Augustinian missionary. His first mission was in Chulucanas, in northern Piura region, and he later carried out extensive pastoral work in Trujillo and Chiclayo.
In 2015, he obtained Peruvian citizenship and was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held until January 2023, when Pope Francis called him to the Vatican to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Now, as Pope Leo XIV, he will return to the country where he carried out much of his priestly ministry, in a visit that is shaping up to be one of Peru's most important religious, tourism, and social events of the year.
(END) MAO/MVB
Published: 8/5/2026