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Pope Leo XIV addressed an estimated 100,000 people during a massive open-air Mass near Luanda on Sunday, bringing a message of hope and justice to the resource-rich but impoverished nation.
The American pontiff, currently on a four-nation African tour, urged Angolans to look toward a “new beginning” and heal the scars left by decades of civil war.
He called for a culture of sharing to replace the “wound of corruption,” advocating for a society where hatred and division are permanently set aside.
During his visit, the Pope took a firm stance against the rampant exploitation of Africa’s natural resources and the stark economic inequality within Angola.
Despite being a top oil and diamond producer, roughly one-third of the country’s population lives in poverty, a disparity the Pope highlighted in discussions with President Joao Lourenco.
Leo encouraged the government to embrace dissent rather than repress it, echoing the frustrations of young Angolans who face high unemployment and limited opportunities.
The trip has been marked by Leo’s assertive tone on global issues and a high-profile verbal standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump.
While the president recently labelled him “weak” for his calls to end the Middle East conflict, the Pope told journalists he had no interest in engaging in a debate with the US leader.
After concluding his events in Luanda and visiting the sacred pilgrimage site of Muxima, the Pope will travel to Equatorial Guinea for the final leg of his 11-day journey.
