Addressing an audience of roughly 20,000 worshippers, Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the acute economic struggles of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a town in Peru's poorest department where poverty exceeds 40%. The pontiff, who previously ministered to the town under the name Father Robert while serving as bishop of Chiclayo, spoke directly about falling birth rates and forced migration. His appearance forms part of a broader 12-day regional journey across Latin America. Following this stop, his itinerary includes visits to Cusco and the Peruvian Amazon before he concludes the tour on Monday.
Key points
The papal visit drew international attention to severe poverty, resource imbalances, and…: The papal visit drew international attention to severe poverty, resource imbalances, and depopulation in remote Andean communities.
The journey represents a deeply personal return for the pope, who previously served local…: The journey represents a deeply personal return for the pope, who previously served local parishioners directly as Father Robert.
Peru marks the longest portion of the pontiff's inaugural 12-day Latin American tour, whi…: Peru marks the longest portion of the pontiff's inaugural 12-day Latin American tour, which concludes after visits to Cusco and the Amazon.
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On a visit to an isolated Andean village in his former diocese, Pope Leo XIV has spoken about the "suffering of those who are forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future", which he said had left communities under threat.
About 6,000 people live in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, which is located in a remote part of the Andes mountains in northern Peru, but the Pope's visit drew a crowd of about 20,000, according to the Vatican.
At an outdoor Mass, Pope Leo spoke of "declining birth rates that are emptying villages," and the unequal distribution of the land's resources.
Over 40% of the population in the Cajamarca region, where the town is located, live in poverty - the highest figure in Peru, according to official data.
Cajamarca has lost the highest number of people to internal migration, with 729,000 people born there now living elsewhere in Peru.
In his sermon, Pope Leo thanked those who had made the journey to him and emphasised the importance of never losing heart, despite life's difficulties.
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