Pope Leo urges unity and healing in Angola during mass visit near Luanda

Pope Leo called for unity and reconciliation in Angola during a mass near Luanda attended by about 100,000 people. He urged citizens to overcome divisions from the country’s civil war and promote peace. The pope also criticized resource exploitation in Africa and encouraged leaders to prioritize their people’s welfare.

Pope Leo on Sunday called on the people of Angola to overcome long-standing divisions rooted in decades of violent conflict, speaking to an estimated 100,000 worshippers who gathered for a mass near the capital, Luanda. The address formed part of one of the largest events in his four-nation tour of Africa.
The pope described Angola as a “beautiful yet wounded country,” referring to its long history of suffering, especially the 27-year civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. He urged citizens to commit themselves to unity and reconciliation, calling on them to “build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear.” His message focused strongly on peace, healing, and national cohesion in a nation still dealing with the social and economic effects of its past.
Long before the mass began, worshippers started arriving at Kilamba, a large housing estate on the outskirts of Luanda. Many of them came before dawn, enduring hot and humid weather conditions in order to secure a place and witness the papal visit. The atmosphere grew increasingly energetic as the crowd swelled, with people dancing, singing, and cheering when Pope Leo arrived in his white popemobile.
Among the faithful was Sister Christina Matende, who said she arrived around 6 am to attend the event. She expressed joy at the pope’s presence, noting that many people in the country were going through difficult times. According to her, the visit brought hope and encouragement to those in attendance.
Angola, a country with an estimated population of 36.6 million people, is one of the major oil-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa. More than half of its population identifies as Catholic, making the pope’s visit particularly significant for the country’s religious community.
Pope Leo, the first American to hold the papacy, is currently on the third leg of his four-nation African tour. Prior to his visit to the mass in Luanda, he met with political leaders on Saturday, where he spoke out against the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources. He encouraged leaders to prioritise the welfare of their citizens over corporate or external interests, adding that history would eventually judge them positively if they acted in the interest of their people, even if such actions faced resistance in the short term.
In the crowd on Sunday, 25-year-old Anielka Caliata shared her thoughts on the pope’s visit, saying she appreciated his direct and candid style throughout the tour. She expressed hope that his message would inspire reflection and unity among Angolans. Standing with her fiancé and parents, she said the country needed messages of peace and cooperation, and that she believed the pope’s visit would encourage people to work together for a better future.