Christian World | In his first public address in Peru, Pope Leo told leaders in Lima that democracy means no one has all the answers and urged closeness to victims of violence

ACW | November 12, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged Peru's authorities and diplomats to help protect the "everyday peace" of its people, in his first public address of the visit at Lima's Gran Teatro Nacional, Vatican News reported.

The pope, who lived in Peru for more than two decades and became a Peruvian citizen in 2015, said: "This return visit holds a very special meaning for me." He added that "distance does not necessarily diminish love for one's homeland."

"Democratic life implies recognizing that no one has all the answers," the pope said. To love a people, he said, "is to desire that everyone may live with dignity among them."

He said the Church is aware of the suffering caused by violence and wishes to remain close to those who endure it, Vatican News reported. He also called for support for families who care for the elderly, the sick, people with mental health challenges and people with disabilities.

Background: Pope Leo arrived in Peru on Wednesday after ending his visit to Argentina. Peru is the third and final stop of his 12-day Latin America trip. ACW earlier reported that Pope Leo arrived in Peru after a farewell Mass in Argentina.

Why it matters: It was Pope Leo's first public address in the country where he lived for more than two decades, and he used it to stress democratic dialogue, the dignity of all residents and the Church's closeness to victims of violence, according to Vatican News.

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Source: Vatican News — Pope in Peru: 'Distance does not necessarily diminish love for one's homeland'

Photo: Vatican Media (via Vatican News)