Pope Leo XIV Urges Angola to Overcome Divisions During Mass for 100,000
Pope Leo XIV addressed an estimated 100,000 people in Angola, urging the country to overcome divisions from its civil war past and fight corruption. The pontiff is on the third leg of his four-nation Africa tour.
Historic Mass in Kilamba
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass before an estimated 100,000 faithful in Kilamba, Angola, on Sunday, calling on the nation to transcend its war-scarred past and build a more just society.
The American-born pontiff described Angola as a "beautiful yet wounded country" that has endured a 27-year civil war from 1975 to 2002, leaving lasting scars of division and poverty.
Key Messages
Overcoming Division: "It is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear," the Pope declared.
Fighting Corruption: Leo called for healing "the scourge of corruption... by a new culture of justice and sharing."
Building Hope: "Today, there is a need to look to the future with hope and to build that hope. Do not be afraid to do so."
Africa Tour Context
This marks the third leg of Pope Leo's four-nation Africa tour, which began in Algeria and Cameroon, with a final stop planned in Equatorial Guinea.
Economic and Social Challenges
Despite being one of sub-Saharan Africa's leading oil producers, Angola faces:
- 30% of population living on less than $2.15 per day
- Extreme poverty affecting 36.6 million people
- More than half the country identifies as Catholic
Historic Shrine Visit
After the Mass, Pope Leo traveled to the Muxima shrine, a 300-year-old Catholic site overlooking a river that was once a major slave-trading route. The shrine, dedicated to "Mama Muxima" (Mother of the Heart), attracts roughly 2 million pilgrims annually.
The visit holds special significance as Pope Leo is the first US-born pope, and his Creole ancestors include both enslaved people and slave owners.