Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Angola, Calls for Peace, Justice on Africa Tour
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Angola on Saturday, marking the third stop of his four-nation tour of Africa, where he aims to deliver a message of hope, peace, and social justice to communities facing hardship.
The pontiff landed at Luanda’s international airport after departing from Yaounde, Cameroon, where he celebrated Mass earlier in the day before a crowd estimated at 200,000 worshippers.
During the flight, Leo briefly addressed his ongoing exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes followed by retaliation from Tehran. The pope said he had no interest in engaging in political debate but would continue emphasizing the Gospel’s message of peace.
While in Cameroon, Leo urged young people to remain hopeful and criticized powerful elites for exploiting land and resources for profit. He is expected to carry a similar message to Angola, a resource-rich nation where many citizens still live in poverty.
In his homily on Saturday, delivered in French, Leo emphasized the importance of human dignity as the foundation of society. He called on communities to build systems of solidarity and mutual aid capable of supporting people through crises of all kinds.
During his visit, Leo is scheduled to meet with Angolan President Joao Lourenco and address government officials.
Angola, a nation of roughly 38 million people, gained independence from Portugal in 1975 but endured a brutal civil war that lasted until 2002, claiming more than 500,000 lives. The conflict, fueled by Cold War rivalries, left lasting scars on the country.
Today, Angola is one of Africa’s top oil producers and a major source of diamonds and other valuable minerals. Despite its wealth in natural resources, significant economic inequality persists, with more than 30% of the population living in extreme poverty, according to World Bank estimates.
Residents in Luanda expressed hope that the pope’s visit would bring messages of reconciliation and political accountability, particularly ahead of upcoming elections.
Corruption remains a major concern. Former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled for nearly four decades, was accused of diverting billions in public funds. The current administration under Lourenco has pledged reforms and efforts to recover stolen assets, though critics question the scope and motivations of these actions.
Angola also carries a deep historical legacy tied to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. As a former Portuguese colony, it was a major departure point for enslaved Africans, with millions transported across the Atlantic.
A key moment of Leo’s visit will be his trip to Muxima, a Catholic pilgrimage site south of Luanda. The Church of Our Lady of Muxima, built in the late 16th century, once played a role in the slave trade and stands as a symbol of the complex intersection of faith and exploitation in the region’s history.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, is expected to pray the Rosary there, acknowledging its spiritual significance to Angolan Catholics, who make up a majority of the population.
His visit continues a broader effort to address inequality, corruption, and the enduring need for reconciliation across the continent.
