Pope Leo addresses Angola’s authorities, civil society and members of the diplomatic corps and encourages them to use their positions to promote peace and stability.
Vatican News The first public event of his visit to Angola saw Pope Leo XIV meet with the country’s authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Saturday afternoon. Addressing President João Lourenço and those gathered, the Pope began by expressing his gratitude for the invitation and emphasised, "I come to you to meet your people, as a pilgrim seeking the signs of God’s passage in this land loved by Him". He took time to acknowledge the recent flooding in Benguela province, assuring his "prayer for the victims" and expressing "closeness to the families who have lost their homes". He also noted the national response, observing that Angolans are "united in a great chain of solidarity in support of those affected". The resilience of Angolans In his address, Pope Leo highlighted what he described as the country’s most important resources, not material but human, stating that "your people possess treasures that cannot be sold or stolen". Among these, he emphasised a resilience rooted in experience. "There is within them a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish", he said. At the same time, the Pope warned against longstanding patterns of economic exploitation. "Too often your regions have been, and still are, looked upon in order to give - or more often, to take something", he said, calling for "this chain of interests, which reduces reality and life itself to a commodity", to be broken. Africa of joy and hope Pope Leo then went on to speak of Africa more broadly. He described the continent as "a reserve of joy and hope" for the world, pointing in particular to its younger generations. "Its young people and its poor still dream, still hope, do not settle for what already exists", he said. This, he continued, represents a deeper force for change than political programmes alone. The Pope also addressed the impact of extractive economic models, which he said have led to "suffering, deaths, and social and environmental disasters". He warned that such systems continue to promote "a model of development that discriminates and excludes, yet still claims to impose itself as the only possible one". Quoting Saint Paul VI, he recalled criticism of a "commercial, hedonistic, materialistic civilisation" that presents itself as the future despite being "completely anachronistic". In contrast, he noted that "this generation is waiting for something else". Life flourishes only in encounter Turning to the political and social challenges facing many African nations, Pope Leo emphasised the importance of dialogue. "Life flourishes only in encounter. In the beginning is dialogue", he said, while acknowledging that disagreement can escalate into conflict. Quoting Pope Francis, he then outlined three possible responses to conflict, highlighting the need to transform it constructively. "The most appropriate way… is to accept it, resolve it and transform it into a link in a new process. 'Blessed are the peacemakers'", he said. Place the common good first He then addressed those in positions of responsibility in Angola directly, encouraging an inclusive approach to governance by urging them not to "fear disagreement; do not suppress the visions of the young or the dreams of the elderly". He then went on to urge them to "place the common good before particular interests, never confusing your own part with the whole". The Pope described the political dimension of hope and joy. These, he said, are not merely private sentiments but forces that shape society. Moreover, they are "an intense and expansive force that counters resignation and the temptation to withdraw". He warned against political strategies that rely on division and discouragement. Again, he referred to Pope Francis, who noted that "the best way to dominate… is to sow hopelessness and constant mistrust". Such approaches, the Argentine pontiff had stressed, lead to "polarisation" and weaken social cohesion. Instead, Pope Leo encouraged "true joy", describing it as a source of renewal. He linked it to Christian faith, saying "the fruit of the Spirit… is love, joy, peace". He stressed that social life depends on relationships grounded in dignity and mutual recognition as "without joy there is no renewal; without encounter there is no politics; without the other there is no justice". The future of Angola Bringing his address to a close, Pope Leo expressed confidence in Angola’s future, calling for a shared commitment to development that includes all sectors of society. He reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s role as a partner in this process, stating that it seeks "to foster the growth of a just model of coexistence". Finally, he recalled the psalm, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone", before offering a final blessing: "God bless Angola!"