On the eighth day of his Apostolic Journey in Africa, Pope Leo XIV visits a nursing home and celebrates Mass in Saurimo, and meets with members of the clergy, religious men and women, and pastoral workers in Luanda.
By Claudia Torres – Luanda, Angola Pope Leo XIV travelled around 2,000 kilometres on his last full day in Angola. Meeting with the elderly On Monday morning, 20 April, he took a flight to Saurimo, about 950 kilometres from the Angolan capital. There he visited a care home for the elderly, where he was welcomed with singing and dancing. In his address, the Pope said that the elderly are not only in need of assistance, but that they need to be listened to, because, he said, they preserve “the wisdom of a people.” Holy Mass in Saurimo After the brief visit, the Pope celebrated Mass with the faithful near the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Some 40,000 people gathered in the designated area, which had been prepared specifically for the papal event. An estimated 20,000 people could also be seen outside the enclosed area, following the liturgy from afar. Many carried umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun, but the heat didn’t stop them from participating in the Eucharistic liturgy with the Holy Father. In his homily, the Pope noted that today, “the hope of many people is frustrated by violence, exploited by the powerful and defrauded by the rich.” He added that “when injustice corrupts hearts, the bread of all becomes the possession of a few.” In the face of these evils, he said, “Christ hears the cry of the people and renews our history by lifting us up from every fall, comforting us in every suffering and encouraging us in our mission.” He also warned against replacing “genuine faith” with “superstitious practices, in which God becomes an idol that is sought only when it is advantageous to us and only for as long as it is.” He also warned against “erroneous motives for seeking Christ,” for example “when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm.” Meeting with clergy, consecrated people and pastoral workers After Mass the Pope took a flight back to Luanda, where he met with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated women and men, and pastoral workers, at Our Lady of Fatima parish. He encouraged them in their ministry, assuring them that the Lord knows the generosity with which they embrace their vocation. “He is not indifferent to all that you do, for love of him, to nourish your people with the truth of the Gospel,” he said.