Pope calls on Angola to mend divisions during gatherings attended by 130,000 people
Pope Leo called on Angolans on Sunday to rise above divisions following decades of conflict, first during a Mass in a field outside Luanda and later in a prayer at a location that was once a center for transatlantic slavery, events that collectively attracted around 130,000 attendees.
The first U.S.-born pope, known for his vocal stance on war and inequality, which has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, celebrated Mass outdoors in Kilamba, a vast housing development, before taking a helicopter to the Catholic shrine in Muxima.
During the Mass, he referred to Angola, a nation that endured a 27-year civil conflict from 1975 to 2002, as a “beautiful yet wounded country.”
He called on Angolans to “unite in creating a nation where past divisions are finally resolved and where hatred and violence are eradicated.”
At the shrine, approximately 130 km (81 miles) southeast of the capital, on the banks of the Kwanza River, large crowds danced and sang in the hot, humid weather while the pope was driven through the gathering in a white golf cart.
The shrine, currently a well-known religious site, was constructed as part of a 16th-century Portuguese fortress at the center of the trade that historians estimate captured approximately six million individuals from present-day Angola to enslave and transport to the Americas.
Leo refrained from mentioning the site’s history in his comments, instead urging Angolans to work towards creating a peaceful and more equitable world.
“It is love that must prevail, not war!” he declared.
The Pope condemns the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
At the conclusion of the Mass in Kilamba, the pope condemned the recent escalation of the Ukraine war, urging “for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”
He commended the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at halting the conflict between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah, describing it as a “reason for hope.”
Devotees started to gather at Kilamba before the break of dawn to listen to Leo’s address.
Among those greeting him was Sister Christina Matende, who arrived at approximately 6:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) for the Mass. “The pope’s visit is a joy,” she expressed. “We are currently experiencing a time filled with numerous challenges.”
Angola stands out as a prominent oil-producing nation in sub-Saharan Africa; however, its population of 36.6 million continues to face severe poverty, with over 30% surviving on less than $2.15 daily, as reported by the World Bank.
Over fifty percent of the population identifies as Catholic.
POPE CONDEMNS ‘DESPOTS AND TYRANTS’
Leo is traveling to Angola as part of the third segment of a four-nation tour in Africa. During a speech to the nation’s political leaders on Saturday, he condemned the exploitation of natural resources across the continent.
The pope condemned “despots and tyrants” who, he claimed, ensure wealth yet fail to fulfill their promises, resulting in suffering and loss of life.
He also urged political leaders to prioritize the well-being of all their constituents, rather than solely catering to corporate interests. “History will ultimately vindicate you, even if some may oppose you in the short term,” he stated.
Anielka Caliata, 25, who was among the crowd awaiting the pope in Kilamba on Sunday, expressed her gratitude for the impactful speaking style the pope has showcased during his Africa tour.
“Our country requires a significant amount of this message, and I believe the pope will assist us in contemplating and reflecting on it, understanding that we all need to collaborate and strive for peace,” she stated, standing alongside her fiancé and parents.
