MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV celebrated the final Mass of his Africa trip on Thursday, urging the Church in Equatorial Guinea to continue proclaiming the Gospel “with passion” and to bear witness through lives shaped by faith, service, and solidarity.

The Mass at Malabo’s stadium, where about 30,000 faithful were expected, marked the pope’s last major public event in Equatorial Guinea, the fourth and final African nation on his 11-day journey.

After riding through the crowd in the popemobile, Leo began Mass amid flags, songs, and colorful hats, with music and dance accompanying the liturgy.

Before delivering his homily, the pope greeted the Archdiocese of Malabo and offered condolences for the recent death of its vicar general, Father Fortunato Nsue Esono, who died unexpectedly April 17 at age 39.

“We remember him in this Eucharist,” Leo said. “I invite you to live this moment of sorrow with a spirit of faith, and I trust that full light will be shed on the circumstances of his death.”

In his homily, preached in Spanish, the pope reflected on the day’s Scripture readings, especially the account in the Acts of the Apostles of the deacon Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

“When the deacon Philip approached a traveler who was returning from Jerusalem to Africa, he asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’” the pope said. “The pilgrim, a eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia, replied immediately with humble wisdom: ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ His question is not only a search for truth, but also an expression of openness and desire.”

Leo said the figure of the eunuch reveals both human suffering and the liberating power of the Gospel.

“Yet, as he returns to his homeland of Africa, which for him has become a place of servitude, the proclamation of the Gospel sets him free,” the pope said. “Through his encounter with Philip, a witness of the crucified and risen Christ, the eunuch is transformed from a mere reader — a spectator — of Scripture into a protagonist in the very story that captivates him, because it now concerns him personally.”

“This African man thus enters into Scripture, which welcomes every reader who seeks to understand God’s word,” Leo continued. “He steps into salvation history, which embraces every man and woman, especially the oppressed, the marginalized and the least among us.”

The pope said Christians today, like the Ethiopian eunuch, read Scripture not in isolation but within the life of the Church.

“Together we read Scripture as the shared heritage of the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, who inspired its composition, and by Apostolic Tradition, which has preserved and transmitted it throughout the world,” he said. “Like the eunuch, we too can come to understand the Word of God with the help of a guide who accompanies us on our journey of faith.”

Turning to the Gospel of John and Jesus’ teaching on the bread of life, Leo said Christ fulfills God’s saving work in history and leads every people out of slavery.

“Through Jesus’ Passover, the definitive exodus, every people is set free from the slavery of evil,” he said.

The pope also stressed that Christian faith does not erase suffering but illuminates it with hope.

“Our problems do not disappear in the Lord’s presence, but they are illuminated,” he said. “Just as every cross finds redemption in Jesus, so too the story of our lives finds its meaning in the Gospel.”

Quoting Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, Leo warned against spiritual self-absorption and called the faithful to keep making room for the poor, for God’s voice, and for the quiet joy of his love. He said it is precisely the Lord’s love that sustains Christians in the service of justice and solidarity.

He concluded by encouraging the local Church to continue its evangelical mission with joy.

“For this reason, I encourage all of you, as the living Church in Equatorial Guinea, to carry on the mission of Jesus’ first disciples with joy,” Leo said. “As you read the Gospel together, proclaim it with passion, just as the deacon Philip did. And as you celebrate the Eucharist together, bear witness through your lives to the faith that saves, so that God’s word may become good leaven for all.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV said Mass and visited with several communities including incarcerated prisoners during his first full day in Equatorial Guinea on April 22.

The itinerary represented the last full day the Holy Father will spend in Africa during the papal trip, which commenced on April 13 and has seen the pope visit Algiers, Cameroon, and Angola before finishing in the small coastal nation.

Hereʼs a look at some of Pope Leo XIVʼs activities in Equatorial Guinea on April 22:

Pope Leo XIV stands with airline staff en route to Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted upon his arrival at Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is given a formal greeting upon his arrival at Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted by Catholics at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Colorful smoke drifts above Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV stands beneath a balloon formation of a rosary at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV processes during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV elevates the chalice during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics during Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV unveils a plaque at the Pope Francis Technology School in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV blesses the Pope Francis Technology School in Mengomeyén, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted upon his arrival in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at a monument to those who died in the 2021 explosions at Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Cathedral of St. James and Our Lady of the Pillar in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV addresses prisoners at Bata Prison, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to prisoners at Bata Prison, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media A prison inmate in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, kisses the hand of Pope Leo XIV on April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a crowd under umbrellas during a meeting with families at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd at a meeting with families at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media A crowd of families assembles during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Dancers put on a show for Pope Leo XIV during a meeting with families at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives a gift from a woman while meeting with families at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks while meeting with families at Bata Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

BATA, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV met with young people and families on Wednesday evening in an event marked by singing, dancing, and a stadium full of jubilant Catholics waving Vatican and Equatorial Guinean flags.

Even under relentless rain, the atmosphere remained festive, with chants, songs to the Virgin Mary, and crowds greeting the pontiff as he rode around the field in the popemobile.

Before the pope spoke, Bishop Miguel Ángel Nguema Bee, apostolic administrator and head of youth ministry for the Equatorial Guinea bishops’ conference, welcomed him to the country and to the Diocese of Bata. He described Equatorial Guinea as “a young country, full of energy, questions, and a thirst for life” while acknowledging its challenges and affirming that “Christ is our light.”

Local songs and dances followed, along with the presentation of gifts to the pope, including a fishing net, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a model boat, and a staff — objects reflecting the country’s daily life and cultural traditions.

Several young people and families then gave testimonies.

A young worker, Alicia Ikimo Ipo, spoke about the meaning of being Christian in daily life and about bringing Christ into ordinary work and human relationships.

A young married couple, Purificación Nntongono Nguema and Jaime Antonio Ndong, shared their hope for an Equatorial Guinea marked by united and reconciled families, open to dialogue and forgiveness, and rooted in marriage as taught by the Church.

Seminarian Francisco Martín Nze Obiang spoke of overcoming fear in responding to God’s call, saying he had discovered that when Christ calls, he does not take anything away but gives everything.

The most moving testimony came from 13-year-old Arnoldo Abeso Ondo, who spoke about growing up with only his mother and about the importance for young people of respecting themselves, caring for themselves, and living responsibly.

The pope then turned to the testimonies he had heard.

Speaking about Alicia, he said: “In this regard, Alicia spoke to us about the importance of being faithful to one’s duties and of contributing to the good of the family and society through daily work.” He added that her words invite reflection “on the importance of productive, committed effort and on the need always to uphold the dignity of every human being.”

Turning to Francisco Martín’s witness, Leo said the seminarian “has given us a glimpse into the beautiful reality of so many young people who give themselves totally to God for the salvation of their brothers and sisters.”

Encouraging vocations, the pope said: “So, if you feel that Christ is calling you to follow him in a path of special consecration — as priests, religious sisters, or religious brothers — do not be afraid to follow in his footsteps. As he himself promised, I too wish to assure you today that you will receive ‘a hundredfold and … eternal life’ (Mt 19:29).”

Addressing family life and marriage, Leo said: “Many of you will prepare to receive the sacrament of holy matrimony. Being spouses and parents is an exciting mission — a covenant to be lived day by day. Within this covenant, you will continually rediscover one another as you cooperate with God in the miracle of life and in building happiness for yourselves and for your children.”

He urged couples to embrace marriage “as a journey of true love that grows in freedom; as a journey of hope, born from the knowledge that God will never abandon you; and as journey of holiness, in which you always seek the good and happiness of others.”

The pope also thanked Victor Antonio — the name given in the official text to the young witness whose testimony centered on the need to protect life and care for the vulnerable — saying: “I warmly thank Victor Antonio for sharing his story with such sincerity and courage.”

Leo added: “His testimony may unsettle us, but it does not discourage us. Rather, it invites us to build a better world — one founded on respect for burgeoning life and on a sense of responsibility toward the most vulnerable among us.”

He continued: “Victor Antonio has reminded us that welcoming life requires love, commitment, and care. These words, spoken by a young person, should lead us to reflect seriously on the importance of protecting and safeguarding the family and the values learned within it.”

Summing up his message as an appeal to Christian love, Leo said: “Let us be inspired by the beauty of love; let us become witnesses to the love that Jesus has given us and taught us! Let us show every day that it is beautiful to love — that the greatest joys, in every situation, come from knowing how to give and from giving of ourselves, especially when we reach out to those most in need.”

He concluded by linking charity lived in the home to the transformation of society itself: “The light of charity, nurtured in our homes and lived out in faith, can truly transform the world — even its structures and institutions — so that every person is respected and no one is forgotten.”

“Let us together make this a firm resolution, a joyful commitment,” he said, “so that the crucified and risen Christ — the light of Equatorial Guinea, of Africa, and of the whole world — may guide us all toward a future filled with hope.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

BATA, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV visited a prison Tuesday afternoon, telling inmates that “no one is excluded from God’s love” and urging them to see that even behind bars, there remains the possibility of change, reconciliation, and hope.

The pope arrived in the coastal city of Bata after celebrating Mass earlier in the day in Mongomo.

Before going to the local prison — one of the country’s harshest and long known for difficult detention conditions — Leo stopped at the Cathedral of St. James and Our Lady of Pillar for a brief moment of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

At the prison, Leo XIV was welcomed by Justice Minister Reginaldo Biyogo Mba Ndong Anguesomo, the prison director, and the chaplain, Father Pergentino Esono Mba, 58, who has worked at the Bata penitentiary for 24 years.

One of the more than 600 inmates thanked the pope for his visit and support.

“We wish to thank you for your visit and your support,” the prisoner said. “Your presence reminds us of the importance of faith and redemption. We ask for your blessing to keep moving forward and to come out of this as better people. We are grateful for your compassion and for your message of hope.”

The chaplain, meanwhile, thanked the pope “for his message of mercy and forgiveness.”

“Your example inspires us to believe in the possibility of change and to trust that, even in darkness, God always opens a door of light and hope,” he said.

Pope Leo began by thanking the inmates for their witness.

“I have listened carefully to your words. Thank you for your sincerity and for showing us that human dignity and hope are never lost, even in the midst of difficulties,” he said.

“Today, I am here to tell you something simple: no one is excluded from God’s love! Each of us, with our unique stories, mistakes, and sufferings, remains precious in the Lord’s eyes.”

He also stressed that justice must be aimed not only at punishment but also at rebuilding lives.

“True justice seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders, and communities wounded by evil. There is no justice without reconciliation.”

Hope and change were the central themes of the pope’s address.

“If any of you fear being abandoned by everyone, know that God will never abandon you and that the Church will stand by your side. Every effort toward reconciliation and every act of kindness can spark hope in others.”

He added: “God never grows tired of forgiving.”

After leaving the prison, the pope, under a torrential downpour, stopped briefly to pray at the memorial honoring the victims of a March 7, 2021, explosion.

That day, a series of four explosions struck a military barracks in the Nkoantoma neighborhood, a district of Bata. At least 107 people were killed and more than 600 were injured, with extensive damage reported across the city.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Rome remembered Pope Francis' legacy one year after his death with a Mass on Tuesday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the late pontiff is buried.

The same day, while en route to Equatorial Guinea to wrap up his trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV remembered Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, highlighting his predecessorʼs “solidarity with the poorest, the most vulnerable, the sick, children, and the elderly.”

Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, sprinkles holy water on the tomb of Pope Francis at the aforementioned basilica in Rome on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrated the Mass with other cardinals and clergy resident in Rome. He read Leoʼs message at the Mass, in which the pope recalled Francis' missionary zeal.

“He was also a missionary, proclaiming the Gospel of mercy ‘to everyone, everyone, everyone,’” Leo wrote. “In harmony with his predecessors, he took up the legacy of the Second Vatican Council and urged the Church to be open to mission, a guardian of the world’s hope, passionate about proclaiming that Gospel which is capable of giving every life fulfillment and happiness.”

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, preaches at Mass for the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News

Re described Leoʼs message as an invitation to preserve the legacy of Pope Francis, rooted in his “exhortation to build bridges and not walls.”

“The heart of this message seems to me a vibrant invitation to preserve the spiritual legacy of the late Pope Francis. A legacy summarized, as we have heard, through several of his key phrases: ‘the joy of the Gospel,’ ‘the mercy of God,’ ‘the smell of the sheep,’” Re said.

A special plaque commemorating the visits of Pope Francis to the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” is displayed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News

Before the Mass, a special plaque was blessed and unveiled to commemorate Francis' many visits to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. During his life, Francis frequently visited the basilica to venerate the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” and expressed his wish to be buried in the church near the icon.

The Mass was also attended by several ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, including Irish Ambassador Frances Collins and U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch.

After the Mass, all the cardinals processed to Francis' tomb for the final prayer, delivered by Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, archpriest of the basilica.

Commending the late pontiff to the mercy of God, Makrickas recalled that “hope does not disappoint,” a tribute to the papal bull with which Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025, which drew over 20 million people to St. Mary Major and his tomb.

A new automation system for the telescope at the Holy See’s astronomical observatory in Arizona will allow students from Jesuit universities to use it remotely for scientific research.

Mount Graham in Arizona is home to the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT), one of the most important observatories managed by the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana).

According to a statement issued by the Governorate of Vatican City State, the robotization and automation of the telescope were recently completed successfully thanks to donations from the Thomas Lord Charitable Trust philanthropic foundation.

The automation was also made possible thanks to donations from Kim Bepler, who specifically supports various Jesuit initiatives and serves on the board of trustees of Fordham University.

Astronomers will now be able to operate the telescope remotely, without the need to be physically present on the mountain. In fact, astronomers from the Vatican observatory at Castel Gandolfo in Italy are already making use of this new feature.

The new automation system is named “Don” in memory of Donald Alstadt, a renowned figure in the field of philanthropy dedicated to supporting scientific research, particularly through the Thomas Lord Charitable Trust.

The idea to automate the telescope emerged following a meeting held last January between Bepler; the director of the Vatican Observatory, Father Richard D’Souza; and the president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, Brother Guy Consolmagno.

Their objective was to develop a program to connect the VATT with Castel Gandolfo and enable its use at Jesuit universities worldwide, particularly those that normally lack access to an advanced research telescope.

To launch the project, Bepler offered “a generous contribution in honor of Father Joseph M. McShane, president emeritus of Fordham University and a member of the development committee of the Vatican Observatory Foundation.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

MONGOMO, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged Catholics in this Central African country to help shape the nation’s future, saying there is “a need for Christians to take the destiny of Equatorial Guinea into their own hands.”

The second day of the pope’s apostolic journey in the country opened with the celebration of Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo. The Immaculate Virgin is patroness of Equatorial Guinea.

The basilica is the largest religious building in Central Africa and the second-largest basilica on the continent, after the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

Emotion and affection for the pope were palpable before the Mass.

“I feel great joy at the arrival of the Holy Father in our country,” said Emmanuel, a young man from Mongomo who came to attend the Mass.

“I am here with my fellow citizens, waiting for the pope’s arrival. And I am very moved,” added Pedro Ngema outside the basilica.

Before celebrating Mass, Leo greeted a group of children, and together they released balloons tied in the shape of a rosary into the sky. He then blessed the foundation stone for the future cathedral of Ciudad de la Paz. In brief spontaneous remarks, he thanked those present and said it was “wonderful” to be united in praising the Lord. He said he wanted to ask God’s blessing on those gathered, on their families, and on the foundation stone that would mark the beginning of the future cathedral.

“We want to renew our faith,” the pope said. “We want to renew our commitment to follow Jesus Christ faithfully in his Church, in the Catholic Church.”

In his homily, the pope began by reflecting on the Eucharist.

“The Eucharist truly contains every spiritual good of the Church: it is Christ, our Passover, who gives himself to us, he is the living Bread that nourishes us,” Leo said. “His presence in the Eucharist reveals God’s infinite love for the entire human family and the way he encounters every woman and every man even today.”

The pope said he was pleased to celebrate with the faithful and “give thanks to the Lord for these 170 years of evangelization in Equatorial Guinea.”

“It is a fitting occasion to recall all the good that the Lord has done,” he said, “and at the same time, I wish to express my gratitude to the many missionaries, diocesan priests, catechists and lay faithful who have devoted their lives in service to the Gospel.”

He praised those missionaries for their witness, saying: “Through the example of their lives, they have played their part in bringing about the Kingdom of God, unafraid of suffering for their fidelity to Christ.”

“It is a history that you must never forget,” the pope continued. “On the one hand, it links you to the universal and apostolic Church that came before you. On the other, it has made you protagonists in proclaiming the Gospel and bearing witness to the faith.”

Leo said Catholics in the country are now called to continue along that path.

“Each and every one of you is invited to make a personal commitment that encompasses your entire life, so that the faith — celebrated so joyfully in your communities and in your liturgies — may also nourish your charitable works and the sense of responsibility toward your neighbor, for building up the common good,” he said.

“Such a commitment requires perseverance; it demands effort and, at times, sacrifice. Yet it is the sign that we are truly the Church of Christ,” he added.

The pope acknowledged that personal, family, and social circumstances are not always favorable, but urged the faithful to remain steadfast.

“Even when faced with personal, family and social situations that are not always favorable, we can trust that the Lord is at work, making the good seed of his Kingdom grow in ways unknown to us, including when everything around us seems barren, and even in moments of darkness,” he said.

“With such confidence, rooted in the power of his love rather than in our own merits, we are called to remain faithful to the Gospel, to proclaim it, to live it fully and to bear witness to it with joy.”

Recalling the motto of his apostolic journey — “Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, Towards a Future of Hope” — Leo said the country’s deepest hunger today is “for a future imbued with hope that is capable of engendering a new sense of justice and producing fruits of peace and fraternity.”

“This is not an unknown future that we must passively await, but rather one that we ourselves are called to build with God’s grace,” he said. “The future of Equatorial Guinea depends upon your choices; it is entrusted to your sense of responsibility and to your shared commitment to safeguarding the life and dignity of every person.”

The pope then called all the baptized to active participation in the Church’s mission and in the country’s development.

“It is therefore necessary for all the baptized to feel that they are part of the work of evangelization, and so become apostles of charity and witnesses to a new humanity,” he said.

“The Creator has endowed you with great natural wealth: I urge you to work together so that it may be a blessing for all,” he continued.

Leo concluded with an appeal for a more just society, one in which all work “to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged.”

“May there be greater room for freedom, and may the dignity of the human person always be safeguarded,” he said. “My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions.”

Then came the line at the heart of the homily: “Brothers and sisters, there is a need for Christians to take the destiny of Equatorial Guinea into their own hands.”

“For this reason, I would like to encourage you: do not be afraid to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to it with your lives!” the pope said. “Be builders of a future of hope, peace and reconciliation, carrying on the work begun by the missionaries 170 years ago.”

Among those reflecting on the pope’s visit was Ndende Njoya Soulemanou, founder and director of the Francophone Institute of Bata, who said Leo’s repeated emphasis on peace during his African journey had especially struck him.

“One word struck me above all during his passage through Cameroon, Angola, and here in Equatorial Guinea,” Soulemanou said. “That word is peace — peace in capital letters. Hearing that word went straight to my heart.”

After Mass, the pope walked to the nearby Pope Francis Technical School for a brief visit to the training center named after his immediate predecessor. In the afternoon, his schedule was set to continue in Bata.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV met with civic leaders and cultural stewards in Equatorial Guinea on April 21, coming to the coastal African nation after traveling across much of the continent during his first papal visit there.

The Holy Fatherʼs two-day stay in Equatorial Guinea will cap his visit to Africa, during which he has visited and toured Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.

During his first day in Equatorial Guinea, Leo met with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo along with civil leaders and the countryʼs diplomatic corps.

He also visited with cultural leaders and with staff and patients at a psychiatric hospital in Malabo.

Hereʼs a look at Leoʼs activities during his first day in Equatorial Guinea:

Pope Leo XIV waves as he departs Angola at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo upon his arrival in the country on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV is greeted as he arrives in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds after arriving in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives gifts during his meeting with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV and Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo speak at the country’s presidential palace on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV meets with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets crowds as he walks through Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets crowds as he walks through Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to civil leaders at Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at St. Elizabeth Cathedral in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd during a meeting with the World of Culture at the León XIV Campus of the National University, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks during a meeting with the World of Culture at the León XIV Campus of the National University in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds during a meeting with the World of Culture at the León XIV Campus of the National University in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks at the Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV views a plaque underneath a statue in his honor during a meeting with the World of Culture at the León XIV Campus of the National University in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets an official at the Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Visiting a psychiatric hospital on Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV said a truly humane society is measured not by how it hides weakness but by how it surrounds the vulnerable with love and stressed that God loves each person “just as we are” while desiring their healing and restoration.

“Whenever I visit a hospital, I have mixed feelings: on the one hand, I feel sorrow for the patients and their families. On the other, I admire and am comforted by all that is done there each day to serve human life,” the pope said in an address delivered in Spanish. “I feel the same way here, but today, I find — and I hope the same is true for you — that joy prevails. It is the joy of meeting in the name of the Lord and of caring for those who are in frail health.”

The late-afternoon event was marked by songs, dancing, and testimonies from both the hospital’s director and a patient, Pedro Celestino Nzerem Koose. A moving poem by a former patient was also recited.

The Jean-Pierre Olié Psychiatric Hospital, with its six pavilions, represents a major development in the treatment of mental illness in Equatorial Guinea, where psychiatric disorders were historically neglected. Founded in 2014, it is the country’s first modern center of its kind and has become a symbol of the national commitment to integrating patients into society, with large green spaces and rehabilitation areas built into the complex.

At the end of 2025, the hospital formalized a cooperation agreement with Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris. In December of that same year, the complex inaugurated a new pavilion and was subsequently named posthumously after the noted French psychiatrist Jean-Pierre Olié, who died in 2023 and whose contribution was instrumental to the project’s development.

The pontiff was welcomed by the hospital’s director, Bechir Ben Hadj Ali, and the facility’s deputy director, who presented him with a bouquet of flowers. Together they proceeded to the main courtyard, where patients and staff had gathered.

“Our mission is clear: to provide care grounded in science, founded on ethics, and guided by a profound respect for the human person. We work to combat stigma, strengthen professional training, support families, and integrate mental health into our country’s public policies,” the director said in the pope’s presence.

In his own remarks, patient Pedro Celestino also expressed gratitude, saying: “We especially thank the first lady of the nation, Mrs. Constancia Mangue Nsue Okomo, patron of our hospital and of the most vulnerable people in the country.”

Leo then cited the director’s earlier words.

“The director said: ‘A truly great society is not one that hides its weaknesses but one that surrounds them with love.’ Yes, that is true,” the pope said. “This is a principle of a civilization with Christian roots, for in the course of human history Christ came to redeem and restore to full dignity those who suffer from the stigma of disability.”

“However, the Savior does not wish to, nor can he, save us without our cooperation, both on a personal and a social level. Therefore, he asks us to love our brothers and sisters not just in words but also in deeds. A facility such as this, with God’s help and everyone’s commitment, can become a sign of the civilization of love,” he said.

Referring to Pedro Celestino’s testimony, Leo highlighted the patient’s final words: “Thank you for loving us just as we are.”

“Thank you for your witness!” the pope replied. “Yes, God loves us just as we are. In reality, only God truly loves us just as we are, but he does not intend for us to stay that way! No, God does not want us to remain sick forever; he wants to heal us!”

“This is seen in the Gospel time and again. Jesus came to love us just as we are, yet he does not want us to stay that way, but rather to care for us!” he continued. “A hospital, especially one with a Christian mission, is a place where a person is welcomed just as they are and respected in their frailty, so that they can be helped to get better according to a holistic vision.”

Leo added that the spiritual dimension of care is essential and said he was pleased that the director had emphasized that point.

He also thanked former patient Tarcisio for his poem, saying that in a place like the hospital, many hidden “poems” are composed every day “not with words, but with small gestures, with thoughtfulness and kindness in your relationships with one another.”

“It is a poem that only God can fully read and which consoles the merciful heart of Christ,” he said.

The pope closed by asking those present to convey his closeness to all the sick in the hospital, “especially those who are most seriously ill and most alone,” and entrusted patients, health care workers, and staff to the protection of Mary, Health of the Sick.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday said the inauguration of a new university campus in Equatorial Guinea is “an act of trust in human beings,” praising investment in the education of young people during the final stop of his Africa trip.

Speaking at the opening of the Pope Leo XIV University Campus in Basupú, part of the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE), the pontiff said the new institution represents more than new buildings.

“This inauguration is an act of trust in human beings, an affirmation of the fact that it is worth the effort to continue wagering on the formation of new generations and on the task, so demanding and yet so noble, of seeking the truth and putting knowledge at the service of the common good,” Leo said.

The new campus, in the northern part of Bioko Island, is the country’s largest academic facility. The government chose to dedicate it to the pope in conjunction with his visit. Founded in 1995, the National University of Equatorial Guinea was established to help form national leaders and align academic and professional training with the country’s development needs.

Leo was welcomed by Rector Filiberto Ntutumu Nguema Nchama and the archbishop of Malabo, Archbishop Juan Nsue Edjang May. A bust of the pope was unveiled before he met with students and professors gathered in the square outside the main entrance.

Students appealed to the pope for encouragement in becoming “a generation characterized by discipline, respect, responsibility, and commitment to the common good,” one aimed not only at personal success but also at contributing to the development of Equatorial Guinea.

Faculty members, for their part, pledged themselves to academic excellence, innovation, and the integral formation of students. University officials also stressed that science and technology are powerful tools whose value depends on how they are used and that Christian moral tradition offers essential guidance in that task.

In his address, Leo turned to an image deeply resonant in Equatorial Guinea: the ceiba, the country’s national tree.

“For the people of Equatorial Guinea, the ceiba, the national tree, has a great symbolic meaning,” he said. “A tree puts forth deep roots and ascends slowly with patience and strength to the heights, embodying in itself a fruitfulness that does not exist for itself.”

The pope said the tree offers “a parable of that which a university is called to be”: an institution rooted in serious study, living memory, and the persevering search for truth.

Leo then drew on biblical imagery to reflect on the relationship between faith, reason, and knowledge. Referring to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis, he said the biblical account is not a rejection of human intelligence.

“It should be emphasized that this story is not about a condemnation of knowledge as such, as if faith was afraid of intelligence or looked with suspicion upon the desire for knowledge,” he said.

Instead, he warned against knowledge detached from truth and goodness and reduced to self-interest or domination.

“The problem, therefore, does not rest with knowledge but in its deviation towards an intelligence that no longer seeks to correspond to reality but rather to twist it for its own purposes,” he said.

Leo said Christian tradition points to another tree — the cross — as the redemption, not the negation, of human intelligence.

“Christian tradition contemplates another tree, that of the cross, not as a denial of human intelligence but as a sign of its redemption,” he said.

“At the cross, human beings are invited to allow their desire for knowledge to be healed: to rediscover that truth is not fabricated, not manipulated nor possessed like a trophy but welcomed, sought with humility, and served with responsibility.”

For that reason, he said, Christ is not an escape from intellectual effort.

“From a Christian perspective, Christ does not appear as a religious escape in the face of intellectual endeavors, as if faith began where reason ended,” Leo said. “On the contrary, in him the profound harmony between truth, reason, and freedom are manifested.”

The pope said the Church’s concern in education is that young people be formed integrally, “rather than giving the mere appearance of success.”

He added that the university should be judged less by its size or number of graduates than by the quality of the people it forms for society.

“Here on this campus, the ceiba of Equatorial Guinea is called to bear fruits of progress rooted in solidarity and of a knowledge that ennobles and develops the human being in an integral way,” he said. “It is called to offer the fruits of intelligence and uprightness, of competence and wisdom, of excellence and service.”

“If generations of men and women are profoundly shaped in this place by truth and are capable of transforming their own existence into a gift for others, then the ceiba will remain an eloquent symbol rooted in the best things of this land, elevated by wisdom and abounding in fruits that pay tribute to Equatorial Guinea and enrich the entire human family.”

Before the university event, the pope also made a brief visit to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Cathedral in Malabo, built in 1897.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday warned against invoking God to justify oppression and violence, telling civil authorities and diplomats in Equatorial Guinea that “his holy name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance, or by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death.”

Speaking at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, the pope framed his address around the Church’s social doctrine, calling it a guide for addressing the “new things” destabilizing human coexistence, including widening inequality, the exploitation of natural resources, and the misuse of technology.

Leo said the world is facing developments that “shake the very foundations of the human experience” and reiterated that it is “the imperative duty of civil authorities and of sound politics to dismantle the obstacles to integral human development — a mission grounded in the fundamental principles of solidarity and the universal destination of goods.”

The pope pointed to rapid technological development as one factor worsening global imbalances.

“It cannot be ignored, for example, that the rapid technological evolution we are witnessing has accelerated speculation regarding raw materials,” he said. “This shift seemingly overshadows fundamental imperatives such as the safeguarding of creation, the rights of local communities, the dignity of labor, and the protection of public health.”

Pope Leo XIV meets with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Recalling Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, Leo repeated his predecessor’s condemnation of unjust economic systems, saying: “Today we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills.”

He added that armed conflicts are increasingly tied to the exploitation of oil and mineral reserves.

“In fact, it is even more evident today than in years past that the proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples,” he said.

Leo also warned that new technologies are often developed and deployed chiefly for military purposes rather than for the common good.

“On the contrary, the destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements,” he said.

The pope arrived in Malabo to a festive welcome from crowds lining the streets of the capital. He later held a private meeting of about 30 minutes with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has led the country since 1979 and also received St. John Paul II during his 1982 visit.

In his address, Leo recalled that John Paul II had described the president as “the symbolic center to which the living aspirations of a people converge” for liberty, justice, and respect for rights — words Leo said “remain timely and that challenge anyone entrusted with public responsibility.”

The pope also reflected on St. Augustine’s image of the “city of God” and the “earthly city,” noting that every person shows by daily decisions to which city he or she belongs.

Referencing Equatorial Guinea’s planned new capital, Ciudad de la Paz, Leo said its name “seems to echo the biblical city of Jerusalem” and should prompt each person to ask “which city they wish to serve.”

He said Christians are called to live in the earthly city while keeping their hearts fixed on their true homeland, the heavenly city, and urged freedom from “the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion.”

Pope Leo XIV receives gifts during his meeting with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the presidential palace in Malabo on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Leo presented the Church’s social doctrine as a resource not only for Catholics but also for all seeking to respond to modern upheavals while putting “the kingdom of God and his justice” first.

“This is a fundamental dimension of the Church’s mission: to contribute to the formation of consciences through the proclamation of the Gospel, the provision of moral criteria, and authentic ethical principles — all while respecting individual freedom and the autonomy of nations and their governments,” he said.

Calling Equatorial Guinea “a young country,” Leo said the Church stands ready to help form “free and responsible consciences” to build a just future.

“In a world wounded by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice,” he said. “It is necessary to encourage those who believe in peace and to dare to engage in ‘countercurrent’ politics — those which place the common good at their very center.”

He concluded with an appeal for youth formation and moral courage: “What is urgently needed is the courage of new visions and an educational pact that gives young people space and trust.”

“Let us walk together, with wisdom and hope, towards the city of God, which is the city of peace,” the pope said.

In remarks welcoming the pope, Obiang noted that the visit comes during the 170th anniversary of evangelization in Equatorial Guinea, where he said about 90% of the population is Catholic, making it “a favorable enclave for Christianity in central Africa.”

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, opening the final leg of his trip to Africa after a flight of about 2.5 hours from Luanda, Angola.

Speaking in Italian to reporters aboard the papal flight, Leo marked the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death with an extended remembrance of his predecessor, highlighting his witness, his closeness to the poor and suffering, and his appeals to mercy and fraternity.

“I would like to remember, on this first anniversary of his death, Pope Francis, who gave and offered so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words, and his actions,” Leo said.

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The pope said Francis gave much to the Church by living “closeness to the poorest, the smallest, the sick, children, and the elderly,” and by the example of his life and preaching.

Leo also pointed to Francis’ emphasis on universal fraternity, saying he sought to promote authentic respect for every man and woman and to foster a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood rooted in the Gospel.

He further recalled Francis’ message of mercy, from his first Angelus to a March 17, 2013, Mass before the formal inauguration of his pontificate, when he preached on the woman caught in adultery and spoke “from the heart” about the mercy of God.

Leo said Francis shared with the whole Church the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy, and pointed in particular to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as part of that legacy.

“Let us pray that he is already enjoying the mercy of the Lord, and let us give thanks to the Lord for the great gift of Francis’ life to the whole Church and to the entire world,” Leo said.

Leo then took questions from journalists about the Church in Angola, where he had just completed a visit.

Asked about cooperation between Church and state, the pope said the two can work together for the good of the people while maintaining distinct roles. He said he had discussed health care and education with Angola’s president, including ways to improve public services and expand hospitals and other institutions.

He added that the Church also has a duty to defend the rights of all people through its witness and preaching.

Asked whether Angola could one day receive a cardinal, Leo said no decision had been made on the creation of new cardinals and that the issue would have to be considered in a broader global context. Still, he said such a possibility could be considered in the future.

On whether new dioceses might be established in Angola, Leo said the Church’s growth there was encouraging and underscored the need for continued evangelization. He said local bishops, working with the apostolic nuncio, could help determine where new dioceses might be needed so pastors can be closer to the faithful.

Equatorial Guinea is the last stop on Leo’s Africa tour, which has also included Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.

His first scheduled event in the country was an address to the president and civil authorities at the Presidential Palace. He is also set to visit the university campus named for him, where he will address representatives of the cultural world, as well as the Jean Pierre Olie psychiatric hospital and the country’s bishops.

On April 22, Leo is scheduled to travel to Mongomo to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and visit the Pope Francis Technological School, named for his predecessor. He will later travel to Bata, the country’s political capital.

In Bata, Leo is expected to visit a prison, pray at a memorial for the victims of a March 7, 2021, arms depot explosion that killed 20 people and injured about 500 others, and meet with young people and families.

The pope is scheduled to conclude the trip on April 23 with a final Mass before returning to Rome.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

On April 21, 2025, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled for Pope Francis, marking the end of his life and his 12-year papacy. As the 265th successor of St. Peter, the Argentinian pontiff left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Here are nine significant moments that have become part of Pope Francis' legacy:

1. Election of the first Latin American pope

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the office — two “firsts” that signaled a shift away from a historically Eurocentric Church. His choice of the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, hinted at priorities rooted in humility, poverty, and care for creation.

Even his first appearance broke with convention: no traditional vestments, no grand proclamations — just a quiet “buona sera” and a request that the crowd pray for him before he blessed them.

2. The publication of Laudato Si’

With the release of his encyclical Laudato Si’ in 2015, the Holy Father positioned the Catholic Church as a major moral voice in the global climate conversation. The document framed environmental destruction not just as a scientific or political issue but as a spiritual and ethical crisis tied to inequality and human dignity. He spoke of the Earth as “our common home,” urging collective responsibility across nations and religions. The encyclical resonated far beyond Catholic circles, earning praise from environmental advocates worldwide.

3. Visit to the United States and address to Congress

In September 2015, Pope Francis made his one and only visit to the U.S. and became the first pope to address Congress. He used the platform to speak about immigration, economic inequality, and the moral responsibilities of political leadership. Referencing figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Dorothy Day, he framed his message in terms of justice and human dignity and encouraged lawmakers to work toward promoting the common good.

4. Launch of World Day of the Poor

In November 2017, Pope Francis held the first-ever World Day of the Poor and sat down to eat lunch with 4,000 poor and in need people from Rome. Celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in his apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera, presented Nov. 20, 2016, at the end of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. The purpose of the event is to encourage Catholics to reflect on how poverty is an important aspect of the Gospel and to encounter the poor.

Pope Francis raises his glass at the start of a lunch with poor and economically disadvantaged people in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Nov. 19, 2023. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA 5. Confronting the clergy abuse crisis

Confronting the clergy sexual abuse crisis became one of the most defining and difficult aspects of Francis’ papacy. In 2014, he established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which works to protect the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults, such as the victims of sexual abuse.

His most significant legal reform came with Vos Estis Lux Mundi (2019), which created a global system for reporting abuse, required dioceses worldwide to set up accessible reporting mechanisms, and introduced procedures to investigate bishops accused of misconduct or cover-ups. That same year, he abolished the “pontifical secret” — a rule of confidentiality protecting sensitive information regarding the governance of the universal Church — in abuse cases.

6. A shepherd praying for the world during a global pandemic

The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic produced one of the most enduring images of Francis’ papacy: the pope standing alone in a rain-soaked St. Peter’s Square, offering an extraordinary “urbi et orbi” blessing for a world in crisis. It was a moment of stark symbolism — emptiness, vulnerability, and quiet solidarity. Throughout the pandemic, he called for global cooperation, urged respect for scientific guidance, and advocated for equitable vaccine distribution.

Pope Francis gives an extraordinary “urbi et orbi” blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on March 27, 2020. | Credit: Vatican Media 7. Historic visit to Iraq

Among the most striking journeys of Pope Francis’ papacy was his 2021 trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pope, undertaken despite security risks and the lingering devastation left by years of war and the rise of ISIS. Visiting cities like Mosul and Qaraqosh — places scarred by violence and the persecution of Christians — the Holy Father delivered a message of resilience, coexistence, and hope.

His historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf marked a powerful moment of interfaith dialogue, underscoring his commitment to building bridges between religions. Praying amid the ruins of churches and addressing displaced communities, the pope sought to amplify the voices of those who had endured conflict and displacement, reinforcing a central theme of his papacy.

Pope Francis meets with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, on March 6, 2021. | Credit: Vatican Media 8. The Synod on Synodality

Another defining initiative of Francis’ papacy was the Synod on Synodality — an ambitious multiyear process aimed at reshaping how the Catholic Church listens, discerns, and makes decisions.

Launched in 2021 and culminating in global assemblies in Rome in October 2024, the synod invited unprecedented participation from laypeople, women, and marginalized groups, signaling Francis’ desire for a more inclusive and consultative Church.

Rather than focusing on a single issue, it centered on the idea of “synodality” itself: shared responsibility and dialogue across all levels of the Church. Some topics of discussion included the role of women and laity, clerical accountability, outreach to marginalized groups, and ecumenism.

9. His final, international papal trip

Only seven months before he passed away, Pope Francis embarked on a 12-day trip of more than 20,000 miles over seven flights through Asia and Oceania. The trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore was his most ambitious international trip and the longest of his 12-year pontificate.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Esplanade of Taci Tolu in Dili, Timor-Leste, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Traveling to regions where Catholics are a minority, he emphasized interreligious dialogue in Muslim-majority Indonesia, emphasized care for the environment and supporting Indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea, encouraged the youth to embrace hope, fraternity, and the faith in East Timor, and stressed the importance of social cohesion and protecting the vulnerable in a wealthy society in Singapore.

Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 20 in Angola, flying to Saurimo, where he visited a home for the elderly and celebrated Mass for more than 60,000 faithful.

“There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm,” the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

He concluded his day with a meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda.

Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Monday:

Pope Leo XIV receives a gift during his visit to a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV addresses the audience during his visit to a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd during his visit to a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV speaks to residents during his visit to a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV listens to residents during his visit to a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV receives the offerings during the presentation of the gifts at Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowds before celebrating Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. Despite the intense heat, upon reaching the esplanade before Mass, Leo XIV greeted the roughly 60,000 faithful of all ages — who had come from across the region and neighboring dioceses — by making a circuit in the popemobile. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowds from the popemobile before celebrating Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV holds a baby during his visit to the apostolic nunciature in Angola on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful during his visit to the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV addresses bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV venerates a crucifix during a meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV addresses bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets young people outside of the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

LUANDA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Monday thanked the Catholic Church in Angola for its long-standing witness in a nation still marked by the wounds of war, praising its efforts to help build the country on “the solid foundations of reconciliation and peace.”

“Thank you also for your steadfast commitment to contribute to the progress of this nation on the solid foundations of reconciliation and peace,” the pope said April 20 during a meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, catechists, and other pastoral workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fátima in Luanda.

The parish, dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima and built by Capuchin Franciscans in 1963, welcomed the pope with a festive reception. Two children greeted him at the entrance with flowers, while young women in red skirts danced on the church square as they awaited his arrival.

The stop was one of the pope’s final public events in Angola before his departure Tuesday for Equatorial Guinea, the last leg of his African journey.

Leo thanked the Church in Angola for its vitality and missionary spirit, telling clergy and religious that the Lord sees the generosity with which they have embraced their vocation.

“It is therefore worth opening your hearts completely to Christ!” he said. “Do not be afraid to say ‘yes’ to Christ, to model your lives entirely on his! Do not be afraid of tomorrow, for you belong completely to the Lord.”

Addressing seminarians and those in formation in particular, the pope emphasized the total gift of self to God in priestly and religious life.

“It is worth following him in obedience, poverty, and celibacy. He takes nothing away! The only thing he takes from us and takes upon himself is sin. Yes, from him you receive everything,” he said.

The pope also highlighted the importance of catechists, calling their ministry a foundational expression of ecclesial life in Africa.

“Particularly in Africa, it is a fundamental expression of the life of the Church, which can serve as an inspiration for Catholic communities throughout the world,” he said.

Fifty years after Angola’s independence, Leo reflected on the country’s future and on the Christian duty to help shape it.

“All Angolans, without exception, have the right to build up this country and to benefit from it equitably; however, the Lord’s disciples have the duty to do so according to the law of charity,” he said.

The pope framed that responsibility above all as a call to fidelity to Christ. Referring to the Angolan bishops’ current three-year pastoral plan, “Faithful Disciples, Joyful Disciples,” he said the first path the Lord opens before the Church is fidelity.

“The first path is fidelity to Christ,” he said, urging ongoing formation, vigilance in personal integrity, and perseverance “in proclaiming the good news of peace.”

Leo said formation must be rooted not only in study and pastoral structures but also in a contemplative life nourished by prayer, adoration, and the broader cultivation of the human person.

“Formation is much broader,” he said. “It concerns the unity of our inner life, care for ourselves and for the gift of God we have received … by drawing on literature, music, sports, the arts in general, and above all, prayer of adoration and contemplation.”

He also encouraged clergy and religious to remain close to the people, especially the poor, and to reject privilege, arrogance, and self-centeredness.

“Do not detach yourselves from the people, especially the poor, and shun the pursuit of privileges,” he said.

The pope gave special thanks to families, calling them indispensable in nurturing vocations and asking relatives to support priests and religious with prayer and honest counsel rather than seeking personal advantage from their ecclesial service.

After winning independence in 1975, Angola was plunged into a civil war that lasted until 2002. The long conflict left enduring scars, making the Church’s message of reconciliation and peace especially resonant today.

Turning to Angola’s history of conflict, Leo said the Church’s fidelity today is especially tied to the proclamation of peace.

“In the past, you have shown courage in denouncing the scourge of war,” he said. “Your contribution is widely recognized and appreciated. But this responsibility is not over!”

He urged the Church to promote a renewed sense of reconciliation by educating people in the ways of peace and by honoring those who have learned to forgive after enduring suffering.

“It is therefore essential that, while interpreting current events with wisdom, you never cease to denounce injustices, offering solutions in accordance with Christian charity,” he said.

Leo also called on the Church to continue cooperating in the country’s “integral development,” especially through education and health care.

“Continue to be a generous Church, cooperating in the integral development of your country,” he said.

He concluded by pointing to the witness of those who gave their lives for Angola and for the Gospel.

“Remember the heroic witness of faith given by Angolans — men and women, missionaries born here or coming from abroad — who had the courage to give their lives for this people and for the Gospel, preferring death to betraying the justice, truth, mercy, charity, and peace of Christ,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV warned at Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday of making God into an idol that is sought only when advantageous — “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices.”

“There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm,” the pope said on April 20, referring to how the crowds in the Gospel reading reacted after Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

“They were not seeking a teacher whom they love but a leader to applaud for their own advantage,” he said.

Joyful faith in Saurimo Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

From the start of his arrival in Sub-Saharan Africa — first in Cameroon and then in Angola — Pope Leo has been welcomed by the warmth of the faithful. In Saurimo, a city in northeastern Angola, the atmosphere greeting the pope on Monday was marked by joyful faith. Everyone welcomed the successor of Peter with songs, dances, and applause.

Despite the intense heat, upon reaching the esplanade before Mass, Leo XIV greeted the roughly 60,000 faithful of all ages — who had come from across the region and neighboring dioceses — by making a circuit in the popemobile.

“This is the first time a pope has gone beyond Angola’s coastal belt and come — using Pope Francis’ language — to the peripheries,“ the director of the communications office of the Archdiocese of Saurimo said. ”This is a region rich in diamonds, but there is also great poverty, and he comes here to show our reality. For us, having the Holy Father in our region is a great joy.”

“This is a unique and unforgettable moment in my life and in the lives of the many pilgrims here today,” Filomena Vunda, who works in the pastoral secretariat of the Archdiocese of Malanje, told ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, at the Mass.

Vunda encouraged non-Catholics in Angola to “keep in mind our African word ‘Ubuntu’: The happiness of others depends on me; my happiness depends solely on the happiness of others.”

Ubuntu is an African philosophy about human interconnectedness. It can be translated as “I am because we are.”

‘Disciples of Christ’

In his homily at Mass, concelebrated by Angolan bishops, Pope Leo said: “In every part of the world, the Church lives as a people who walk as disciples of Christ, our brother and redeemer.”

"He, the Risen One, illumines for us the path to the Father and with the strength of the Spirit he sanctifies us so that we may transform our way of life in conformity with his love," the pope said. "This is the good news, the Gospel that courses through our veins like blood, sustaining us on the journey. A journey that has brought me here with you today!”

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Commenting on the Gospel of the day, Leo reflected: “Indeed, when the Son of God became man, he performed striking miracles in order to manifest the will of the Father: He made light shine in the darkness by giving sight to the blind, he gave a voice to the oppressed by loosening the tongues of the mute, he slaked our thirst for justice by multiplying bread for the poor and weak. Anyone who heard about these works set out in search of Jesus. At the same time, the Lord looks into our heart and asks us whether we seek him out of gratitude or for our own self-interest, with calculation or with love.”

“The Lord himself says,” the pope continued, “‘you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves’ (Jn 6:26). His words reveal the designs of those who do not want to encounter a person but want to consume things. The crowd sees Jesus as means to an end, a provider of services. If he had not given them something to eat, his actions and teachings would not have interested them.”

“This happens,” Leo XIV explained, “when genuine faith is replaced 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. Even the most beautiful gifts of the Lord, which are always for the care of his people, become a pretext, a prize or a bargaining chip, and are misinterpreted by those who receive them.”

“How different is Jesus’ attitude toward us,” the pontiff continued. “Yet, he does not reject this insincere search, but encourages its conversion ... Christ calls us to freedom: He does not want servants or clients, rather he seeks brothers and sisters to whom he can totally dedicate himself.”

“Therefore,” Leo XIV said, “the admonition that the Lord directs to the crowd is transformed into an invitation: ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life’ (Jn 6:27)."

“His gift sheds light on our current situation,” the pope went on. “We can see today how the hope of many people is frustrated by violence, exploited by the powerful, and defrauded by the rich. Consequently, when injustice corrupts hearts, the bread of all becomes the possession of a few."

“In the face of these evils, 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 said.

Crowds of people brave the heat and sun to attend Mass with Pope Leo XIV in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. | Credit: Raúl Kangombe Sapiti/ACI Africa

“All this,” the pope exhorted, “means that, in light of our discipleship, the ecclesial journey is a ‘synod of resurrection and hope,’ as St. John Paul II affirmed in his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa. Let us proceed in this wise direction! Christ himself guides and strengthens our journey, a journey that we want to learn to live more and more as it should be, that is, in a synodal manner.”

The pope concluded by recalling the importance of the martyrs and saints, whose witness “encourages us and pushes us onto a path of hope, reconciliation, and peace, along which the gift of God becomes the responsibility of the head of the household, in the Christian community, in civil society.”

"The vitality of the vocations that you experience [in Angola]," he said, "is a sign that you are responding to the Lord’s gift, which is always abundant for those who welcome it with pure hearts.”

ACI Africa reporter Raúl Kangombe Sapiti contributed to this report.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

SAURIMO, Angola — Pope Leo XIV flew to Saurimo, Angola, on Monday, where he visited a home for the elderly, whom he said have a wisdom that should be listened to.

The pope began his brief greeting by thanking those present for the faith-filled welcome, saying it "touched my heart" and "is a great comfort to me as I carry out my mission.”

Pope Leo XIV visits a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News.

“It struck me to learn that you call this place ‘lar,’ which means ‘home,’” he said. “I thank God for this, and I hope that all of you are truly able to live here in a family atmosphere as much as possible.”

“Jesus loved to be at the home of his friends," he recalled. "I would like to think that Jesus also lives here, in this home. Yes, he dwells among you whenever you try to love one another and help one another as brothers and sisters."

Pope Leo XIV visits a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News.

“When you forgive each other and seek reconciliation after a misunderstanding or a small offense, he is here among you. When all of you, or even some of you, pray together with simplicity and humility, he is here among you,” the pope said.

“The care of the weakest,” he concluded, “is a very important sign of the quality of the social life of a nation. Let us not forget that the elderly are not only in need of assistance, but first and foremost need to be listened to, because they preserve the wisdom of a people."

Pope Leo XIV visits a nursing home in Saurimo, Angola, on April 20, 2026. Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News.

After concluding his visit to the nursing home, the pope will go to the open esplanade in Saurimo for the celebration of Mass. Saurimo, erected as a diocese by Pope Paul VI in 1975, was later elevated to the rank of archdiocese by Pope Benedict XVI, two years after his apostolic journey to Angola in March 2009.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.

Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.

Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Sunday:

Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered before Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out the window during his ride to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered to pray the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his visit to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV lays flowers at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV leads the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Crowds gather to pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build “a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty,” during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.

The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu, is one of Angola’s best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.

Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.

“Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone,” Leo said.

Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the “freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to ‘set out into the deep’ ... to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.”

Leo said that in the “living and young Church of Angola,” one can “truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit.”

He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where “for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country.”

“For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he said. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages.”

“Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone,” he added.

Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.

“At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father,” Leo said. “And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission.”

“Like Mary, we too are made for heaven,” he continued. “As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet.”

The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the “Mother of the Heart.”

“It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God,” he said.

Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.

“Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said.

“A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different,” the pope continued. “In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise.”

“We strive without measure so that no one may lack love,” he said. “We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace.”

“A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern,” he added.

Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.

“Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace,” he said.

“Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign,” the pope said.

“For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all.”

“It is love that must triumph, not war!” Leo said. “This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us.”

“Let us set out, then, from this shrine as ‘messenger angels’ of life, bringing Mary’s tender embrace and God’s blessing to everyone,” he said.

At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: “Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything.”

“Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord’s blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet,” he said. “Amen.”

In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II’s 1992 visit to the country.

For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

KILAMBA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Angola on Sunday in Kilamba, a fast-growing city about 20 miles from the capital, Luanda, telling the faithful that Angola must “look to the future with hope” and “build the hope of the future.”

Kilamba, inaugurated in 2011, has grown into a city of about 130,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent Angolan government census. Built with financing tied to a Chinese public investment company, the city’s layout and architecture evoke the urban planning of Chinese population centers more than that of a typical African city.

Yet the atmosphere at the papal Mass was unmistakably African.

About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. Many wore traditional Angolan dress. Scouts were present in large numbers, along with members of the military, doctors, nurses, priests, and missionaries — lay and religious — who have worked in Angola for years and did not want to miss the occasion.

“This visit is an occasion of celebration and hope, for us and for this beautiful land that is Angola,” a Polish missionary from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary told EWTN News.

At around 10:15 a.m. local time, Pope Leo began the Mass. The entrance procession was accompanied by a hymn marked by both faith and enthusiasm, hallmarks of the African crowds that have greeted the pontiff throughout this trip.

“I celebrate the Eucharist here among you with a grateful heart. Thanks be to God for this gift, and thank you for your warm welcome!” the pope said at the start of his homily.

Reflecting on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Leo said he saw in that scene “a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace and fraternity.”

He continued: “Indeed, the conversation along the road between the two disciples, who reflected with sorrow on what had happened to their Master, brings to mind the pain that has marked your country: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”

“When one is long immersed in a history so characterized by pain, one can risk losing hope and remaining paralyzed by discouragement, just like the two disciples,” he said.

The pope then pointed to what he called the central Christian answer to such suffering: “Dear friends, the Good News of the Lord, even for us today, is precisely this: he is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future.”

Recalling how Christ accompanied the two disciples in their disappointment, Leo said the same path is now set before Angola.

“Here, too, is the path laid out for us, for you, dear Angolan brothers and sisters, to begin anew. On the one hand, there is the certainty that the Lord accompanies us and has compassion on us, and on the other, the commitment that he asks from us,” he said.

The pope stressed prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist as the place where believers encounter God and renew hope. He also warned against distortions of faith.

“For this reason, we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey,” he said.

“Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist,” he added.

Leo then turned to the mission of the Church in Angola, saying the country’s continuing hardships require “the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children.”

“A Church that, with the light of the word and the nourishment of the Eucharist, knows how to rekindle lost hope,” he said. “A Church made up of people like you who give of themselves just as Jesus gave of himself in the breaking of the bread for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.”

“Angola needs bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and lay people who carry in their hearts the desire to ‘break’ their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need,” the pope said.

In the final part of the homily, Leo appealed for national renewal, saying that “it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing.”

“Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope,” he said.

He concluded with a direct appeal: “Brothers and sisters, today we need to look to the future with hope and to build the hope of the future. Do not be afraid to do so!”

The pope assured those present of his closeness and prayers and entrusted the people of Angola to the protection of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Muxima.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.