After an approximately 40-minute flight, Pope Leo XIV returned to the city of Chiclayo on Saturday afternoon from Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, where he celebrated a Mass attended by thousands on Saturday morning.

Earlier, His Holiness visited the Immaculate Conception Parish, where he bowed before the cross that houses the Blessed Sacrament and the image of Lord of the Side, patron saint of Santa Cruz.

A few minutes later, he disembarked from the aircraft.

After greeting the MI-17 helicopter crew, he posed for a photograph with personnel from the Peruvian Air Force’s (FAP) Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Ruiz Gallo Air Base, who were responsible for transporting the Holy Father and his delegation.

Before his departure from Santa Cruz, local residents paid him an emotional tribute.

The locals highlighted that he had kept his word after promising, more than three years ago, to return to this remote district in Cajamarca region in one of his final acts as Bishop of Chiclayo.

Along the route between the esplanade where the Mass was celebrated and the helicopter, the crowds continued to cheer and express their affection for the Supreme Pontiff.

Meanwhile, in Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV was greeted with similar displays of joy and jubilation from local residents.

A group of people gathered outside the air base. Meanwhile, parishioners greeted him along the route to the episcopal residence in Chiclayo.

At the residence, he will have lunch with his delegation and then rest before attending his next activity.

According to the official schedule, at 5:30 p.m., the Holy Father will lead a prayer gathering with the Catholic community on the occasion of the closing of the Jubilee Year of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.

The event will take place at the Shrine of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, located in Zaña district.

A festive atmosphere prevails at Chiclayo’s Main Park, while thousands have been heading to Zaña since morning to attend the event led by the Supreme Pontiff and express their affection for “their Pope.”

(END) MAO/MVB