Half a million people gather for an open-air mass by Pope Leo in Peru

Here's Pope Leo, but here in Chiclayo, he's better known as Padre Roberto. In an emotional homecoming, the first American-born pontiff returned to the northern Peruvian city where he lived for two decades, working closely with poor and migrant communities. Despite scorching temperatures, the Vatican estimates around a million people lined his motorcade route for a glimpse of their former bishop, and that 500,000 attended outdoor mass. What a joy it is to be back in Chiclayo. It is a blessing for me to be with you again. Thank you for your affection, support and your prayers, especially for my health in this time of trial, which, with God's help, I am overcoming. The visit to Peru, where the 71-year-old pontiff holds citizenship, comes just a year and a half into his papacy, and less than a month after his surgery for lung cancer, which nearly threw the entire trip into question. The city's faithful made it clear of their delight at his return, even chanting that he was one of them. them. It's a tremendous feeling, an overwhelming emotion. I'm happy to see him. Welcome home. I don't even know how to. This represents the Pope, and we're very happy that he has come back here, to his homeland, where he lived for many years. For many years. For many years. We've come here from Colombia. We traveled 40 hours by bus to visit His Holiness. Papá León. After mass, he made a private visit to the chapel of St. Oscar Romero in one of Chiclayo's humblest neighborhoods, which he helped rebuild. Peru was the longest stop on his 12-day tour of Latin America. The pontiff also visited Argentina, where record crowds turned out, and Uruguay, one of the region's least religious countries.