Pope Leo urges Angola to heal divisions during visit drawing 130,000 faithful

Pope Leo XIV has urged Angolans to move beyond decades of division, as tens of thousands gathered for Mass and prayers during his visit to the country. Speaking to large crowds near Luanda on Sunday (19 April), the pope described Angola as a “beautiful yet wounded country”. 

He called on people to build a future free from hatred and violence after a long civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002.

“Build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all,” he said.

Around 130,000 people attended events across the day. Many arrived before dawn to hear him speak. Among them was Sister Christina Matende, who said his visit brought “joy” at a difficult time.

"The pope coming here is a joy," she said. "We are living in a moment of a lot of difficulties."

Later, the pope travelled to the shrine of Muxima, where crowds sang and danced in the heat as he passed through in an open vehicle. The site, once linked to the transatlantic slave trade, is now one of Angola’s most important religious centres.

There, he called for peace and justice, saying, “It is love that must triumph, not war.”

For many in the crowd, his message felt personal. Anielka Caliata, 25, said the country needed to reflect and work together for peace. “Our country needs this message,” she said.

The pope also used the occasion to speak about global conflicts. He called for an end to fighting in Ukraine, calling "for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed." He also welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as “a reason for hope”.

Pope urged political leaders to focus on helping people 

Leo is visiting Angola on the third leg of a four-nation Africa tour. In a speech to the country's political leaders on Saturday (18 April), he decried the exploitation of natural resources on the continent.

He also urged political leaders to focus on helping all their people, not just corporate interests.

He warned against “despots and tyrants” who promise wealth but leave people suffering.

"History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you," he said.

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Angola is one of the leading oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, but its population of 36.6 million people is still confronting extreme poverty, with more than 30% living on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.

More than half of the country identifies as Catholic.

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