Pope Leo Visits Angola, Addressing Corruption and Poverty
Pope Leo arrived in Angola on Saturday, marking the third stop of his four-nation African tour aimed at addressing issues of corruption and the exploitation of the continent’s resources. His visit comes on the heels of a notable disagreement with US President Donald Trump.
According to the Vatican, around 100,000 people gathered for the first papal mass in Angola, held in Quiramba, roughly 30 kilometers from Luanda.
During the mass, the pope urged attendees to remain hopeful as Angola aims for a “new beginning” after a lengthy civil war that ended in 2002. “It’s possible to create a country where old divisions fade, where hatred and violence cease, and where the harms of corruption are addressed through a fresh approach to justice and sharing,” Leo stated.
Arriving from Cameroon, Pope Leo met with Angola’s President João Lourenco and other officials to criticize the “suffering” resulting from poverty and the rampant misuse of natural resources. This aligns with the assertive message he’s carried throughout his 11-day journey.
Angola, a leading oil producer, is also rich in diamonds, yet struggles with stark economic inequality. The World Bank reports that about one-third of its 36.6 million residents live in poverty. Young people dominate the population, with an average age of just 23.
Patricio Musanga, 32, attended the mass to find inspiration for youth facing unemployment, many of whom seek better prospects abroad. “We’re incredibly resource-rich, but there’s a glaring divide between the affluent and the less fortunate,” he remarked, sporting a white hat and a t-shirt featuring the pope. He expressed hope that “the pope will hold leaders accountable” and called for “national reconciliation.”
Father Pedro Chingandu, a priest from Mojico, pointed out that wealth is concentrated among a small elite, complicating the situation. “What we need is true democracy alongside wealth redistribution and justice,” he shared.
After Quilamba, the pope plans to visit Mxima, a revered pilgrimage site home to a 300-year-old church overlooking a river that was once central to the slave trade.
This church, housing a statue of the Virgin Mary known as “Mama Mushima,” attracts around 2 million pilgrims annually. Religious leaders note that it was initially constructed by Portuguese colonizers for the baptism of slaves before their transport to the Americas.
The Angolan government is investing significantly in a new cathedral for the town, which has faced criticism regarding spending priorities.
Poverty has fueled tensions, evident in the three days of looting last July that resulted in around 30 deaths amid heavy police response. Analysts suggest this unrest is a reflection of public discontent with President Lourenco’s socialist party, the MPLA, which has held power since independence in 1975.
Pope Leo, who began his tour in Algeria and moved on to Cameroon, lamented that his recent verbal altercation with President Trump overshadowed portions of his mission. He remarked that discussing American leaders is “not in my interest at all.” From Angola, he will head to Equatorial Guinea, which concludes his extensive trip across the continent.
