Pope Leo Angola: 100,000 Hear Call To End Hatred, Reject Tyrants
Pope Leo Angola Mass in Kilamba draws 100,000. Urges unity after decades of war. Warns against leaders exploiting religion and power.
KILAMBA, ANGOLA — In one of the largest gatherings of his African tour, Pope Leo Angola addressed an estimated 100,000 worshippers Sunday, urging the nation to move beyond decades of conflict and deep social divisions.
The open-air Mass, held near the capital Luanda, became a powerful moment of reflection as the Pope described Angola as a “beautiful yet wounded country” still carrying the scars of its 27-year civil war from 1975 to 2002.
Build Together A Country Where Old Divisions Are Overcome
Pope Leo called on citizens to unite and build a future free from hatred, violence, and old political and ethnic divides. He stressed that lasting peace can only come through collective healing and cooperation.
“Build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear,” he told the crowd. He warned against those who exploit religion or power for personal gain.
Believers began arriving before dawn at Kilamba, a sprawling housing complex, braving hot and humid conditions to hear the address. By the time Mass began, throngs filled the site, dancing and shouting as Leo drove through in his white popemobile.
A Nation Of Wealth And Wounds: Why Pope Leo Angola Message Hit Hard
Among those welcoming Leo was Sister Christina Matende, who arrived around 6 a.m. for the Mass. “The pope coming here is a joy. We are living in a moment of a lot of difficulties,” she said.
Angola is one of the leading oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet its population of 36.6 million still confronts 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.
The Pope blasted “despots and tyrants” who he said guarantee wealth but do not deliver on their promises, leading to suffering and deaths. He urged political leaders to focus on helping all their people, not just corporate interests.
Pope Leo Angola Visit: Beyond Borders, Beyond Politics
The Pope also used the visit to speak on global conflicts, calling for calm in the ongoing war in Ukraine and praising recent ceasefire efforts involving Israel and Lebanon as a rare sign of hope.
Earlier in his visit, he strongly criticised political leaders who allow corruption and exploitation of Africa’s resources while ordinary citizens suffer. He warned against those who, “in the name of profit, continue to seize the African continent to exploit and plunder it”.
Many in the crowd said the Pope’s bold message resonated deeply. Young attendees like Anielka Caliata expressed hope that his visit will inspire unity and reflection across the country.
Third Leg Of Four-Nation Tour
Leo, the first U.S. pope, is visiting Angola on the third leg of a four-nation Africa tour. He landed in Luanda Saturday after four days in Cameroon. On Sunday he celebrates Mass in Kilamba before travelling by helicopter to Muxima, home to a 16th-century church and major pilgrimage site.
As the tour continues, Pope Leo Angola is increasingly being defined not just by large crowds, but by powerful messages challenging inequality, conflict, and leadership responsibility.
