For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
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The Journey That Reveals The Pontificate
The desire to visit Africa first reveals the heart of the missionary Pope. By Andrea Tornielli
The first day of Pope Leo’s journey to Africa, as well as the two that followed, were marked - at least from a media perspective - by commentary on statements made by US President Donald Trump. A controversy that the Pope himself sought to downplay, given the risk that every word he spoke during the trip could be interpreted through the lens of relations between the Holy See and the White House.
As a result, a particularly significant remark made by the Successor of Peter on the morning of Monday, 13 April, during his first greeting to journalists on the flight that had just taken off for Algiers, went almost unnoticed. He said that Africa “was supposed to be the first of my pontificate.” “As early as last May, I had said that on my first journey, I would like to visit Africa."
So, immediately after his election, Pope Leo XIV had expressed this specific desire to his collaborators - a wish that could not come to fruition at the time for logistical reasons, but which says a great deal about how the first Pope born in the United States understands his mission. One must not forget a fundamental aspect of Robert Francis Prevost’s biography: he is a missionary religious - a characteristic that is quite rare in the history of the papacy in recent centuries.
Pope Leo spent many years as a missionary and parish priest in Peru, and later returned there as a Bishop at the request of Pope Francis. It is in light of this vocation that we can understand his desire for a first journey to Africa and what we are witnessing these days: the Pope smiling and at ease as he follows the rhythmic songs and traditional dances accompanying Eucharistic celebrations; as he devotes himself to meeting and embracing children; as he spends long moments shaking hands and greeting people. Above all, as he speaks about the newness of the Gospel encountering cultures and peoples, becoming a driving force for peace and transformation.
This was evident in Bamenda, Cameroon, where the Bishop of Rome went to support the building of peace and coexistence in a context tragically marked by civil war. Or in Yaoundé, when addressing the academic world, he spoke of the importance of forming consciences "that are free and endowed with a holy restlessness" a necessary "condition for the Christian faith to appear as a fully human proposal. Such a faith is capable of transforming the lives of individuals and of society, of inspiring prophetic change in the face of the tragedies and forms of poverty of our time."
It is no coincidence that Pope Leo XIV pointed to the revival and deepening of the late Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium as a programme for the upcoming consistory. That foundational document of his predecessor - whose passing marks its first anniversary today - is once again proposed to the Church because it clearly expresses what mission consists of: the kerygma, the proclamation of the essentials of the faith; the face of a Church that knows how to be close to those who suffer, sharing in the dramas of humanity; the commitment to transforming society in a more humane and just direction. A Church which, as we read in Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, recognises love for the poor as an essential part of the Christian proclamation, because “contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.”
The emphasis on peace, on returning to negotiation, and on respect for international law - interventions that have drawn reactions in recent days - fits within this context. It helps to clarify once more the nature of the Church’s service, and particularly that of the Successor of Peter, who does not act as a politician but as a pastor. Yet it is inherent in being a pastor - far from any reduction to a purely spiritual or abstract dimension - to care about peace, justice, dialogue, encounter, the building of more just societies, closeness to those who are persecuted or discriminated against, solidarity with innocent victims of war, and the prophetic concern for the fate of humanity in this “dramatic hour of history.”
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Day Seven in Africa: Pope Invites Angolans To Begin Anew, Loving With A Mother's Heart
Pope Leo XIV wraps up his seventh day in Africa, during which he celebrated Holy Mass in Kilamba and prayed the Rosary at the Mamã Muxima Shrine, in Angola. By Claudia Torres – Luanda, Angola
Pope Leo XIV only held two public events on his seventh day in Africa, but that didn’t detract from the day’s intensity or the people’s enthusiasm.
Holy Mass in Kilamba
The first event was Holy Mass in Kilamba, a planned urban development about 30 kilometres from the Angolan capital. People from different parts of the world gathered for the liturgy on Sunday, 19 April, despite the intense heat and high humidity.
In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel passage about the disciples who encounter the Risen Jesus but fail to recognize him on the road to Emmaus.
“In this opening scene of the Gospel,” said the Pope, “I see a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace and fraternity.”
He noted that “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 [Angola]: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”
Given this difficult context, the Pope urged Angolans “to begin anew,” knowing that the Lord accompanies them and has compassion on them, as He did with His disciples. After Mass, he prayed the Regina Coeli with the assembly. He expressed closeness to the people of Ukraine amid intensified attacks and appealed for dialogue and diplomatic efforts in Lebanon.
Praying the Rosary at the Mamã Muxima Shrine
In the afternoon, tens of thousands of faithful gathered in Muxima, the most important pilgrimage site in Angola, to pray the Rosary with the Holy Father. Nearly 130 kilometres from Luanda, it houses the shrine of Mamã Muxima, meaning Mother of the Heart, the Kimbundu name the people of Angola reserve for the Virgin Mary.
Fr Daniel Malamba, a Divine Word Missionary, explained that “for the faithful in Angola, Mamã Muxima is everything.” Angolan religiosity is firmly rooted in love for her, he said, which is why so many people wanted to see the Pope alongside Our Lady.
Many of the faithful expressed their joy at the opportunity to join the Pope in honoring Mamã Muxima. “She listens to our prayers” and is there “for all the problems that we have,” said Conceição António, who was there with a group of pilgrims.
Fernanda, a volunteer helping out at the event, said many people had arrived days earlier, camping out in tents to prepare to welcome the Holy Father.
Their patience was finally rewarded when Pope Leo arrived in a helicopter from Luanda. He prayed inside the chapel at the shrine and left white flowers at the foot of the statue of Mamã Muxima. He then sped through the crowd in the popemobile, people cheering and running after him, trying to get as close as possible to the Successor of Peter.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope told the people present that praying the Rosary commits one “to loving every person with a mother’s heart—concretely and generously—and to dedicating [oneself] to the good of one another, especially the poorest.”
Addressing young people, he urged them to work towards a world free from war, injustice, poverty, and corruption. "It is love that must triumph, not war," he said.
The Holy Father then returned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Luanda for the night.
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Musicians, missionaries and medics at the Pope’s Mass in Kilamba
People from around the world gather in Kilamba to participate in Holy Mass with Pope Leo XIV, on Sunday, 19 April, during his Apostolic Journey in Africa.
By Claudia Torres – Kilamba, Angola
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in Kilamba, a planned urban development about 30 kilometres from the coastal city of Luanda. Some 100,000 people gathered for the liturgy on Sunday, 19 April – not only from Luanda, but from Poland, Italy, and even as far as Uruguay.
Expressing faith through music
The atmosphere was festive, animated by the ‘500 vozes’ choir, under the coordination of the National Secretariat of Liturgy, representing the choirs of the Dioceses and Archdioceses that constitute the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST).
“We are here to play all the music that makes people dance,” said pianist Luis Muxinda, one of two young men playing keyboard for the papal Mass. For him, it was the first time playing at this sort of event. “This is a very good opportunity and I feel very excited,” he said.
Missionaries from Uruguay and Poland
A large group of priests sat in the first several rows of chairs, wearing white for the liturgy on the third Sunday of Easter. Among them was Father Andrés Algorta, a missionary priest from Uruguay who has lived in Angola for many years, carrying out his ministry at the São Paulo parish in Luanda.
“We are very happy that the Pope is here with us,” he said, expressing gratitude for the Holy Father’s closeness to the people of Benguela, a coastal city that has been affected by deadly flooding. In his address to Angola’s authorities on 18 April, Pope Leo remembered victims and those who have lost their homes.
“The Pope was so kind as to join in their suffering. I think in that moment he embraced not just Benguela but all Angolans,” said the Uruguayan missionary.
Also present was Sister Krystyna Zachwieja, a Franciscan Missionary of Mary from Poland who is involved in pastoral and education work, as well as formation for her congregation in Angola. “The experience which we are living now at this moment is something fantastic,” she said, expressing her confidence that the Pope’s visit will be something very, very helpful for the new evangelization” in Angola.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Pope At Mamã Muxima: It Is Love That Must Triumph, Not War
During his visit to Angola, Pope Leo XIV prays with pilgrims at the historic Mamã Muxima Shrine, urging young people to draw from Marian devotion a commitment to justice, solidarity, and peace in society. By Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday visited the Marian Shrine of Mamã Muxima, in Angola, one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites, where he joined the faithful in praying the Rosary.
Located about 130 kilometres from the capital city, Luanda, the Shrine of Mamã Muxima - meaning “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu - has, for centuries, been a place of prayer for Angolans. Built in the 16th century, it became a centre of devotion during difficult periods in the nation’s history, including colonial rule and the long civil war. Today, it continues to attract thousands of pilgrims each year.
Gratitude For The Moment Of Prayer
Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other devotees gathered at the shrine, the Pope expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to share what he described as a "moment of Marian prayer" with the local Church.
He reflected on the Rosary, which they had just prayed, as a simple and accessible form of prayer rooted in the Church’s tradition. Quoting Saint John Paul II, he described it as a prayer that retains the "freshness" of early Christianity and continues to inspire believers to proclaim Christ in the world.
Pope Leo then highlighted the strong sense of faith among the people, describing it as both "living and young". He also acknowledged the historical significance of the shrine as a place where generations have come to pray in times of both joy and hardship.
"Mamã Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone and prays for everyone", he said.
An Easter Visit
As the Pope’s visit to the shrine comes during the Easter season, he emphasised that the Resurrection points those who believe towards their ultimate destiny while also calling them to live out their mission in the present.
He encouraged the faithful to look to Mary as a model, particularly her capacity to reflect on and treasure the events of her Son’s life. In doing so, he said, Christians are invited to grow in a love that is "universal" and attentive to others.
The Pope then noted that prayer must lead to concrete action, especially in caring for those in need. He pointed to key areas such as access to food, healthcare, education, and dignified living conditions for the elderly, describing these as essential expressions of Christian charity.
"A mother loves all her children", he said, adding that this example should guide the faithful in their commitment to others, particularly the most vulnerable.
A Sign Of Hope
The Pope also referred to the ongoing construction of a new, larger shrine intended to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. He described this project as a sign of hope and an invitation, especially for young people, to help build a more just and peaceful society. Addressing the young people directly, he then called on them to work towards a world free from war, injustice, poverty, and corruption, where the values of the Gospel can shape both personal lives and broader social structures.
"It is love that must triumph, not war", he said.
Bringing his address to a close, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to entrust themselves to Mary and to carry God’s blessing into their daily lives and encouraged them to leave the shrine as "messengers of life", bringing hope and solidarity to others.
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Pope’s Journey An Africa: A Call To Renew Our Hearts
Pope Leo XIV’s pilgrimage to four African nations highlights the strength of peoples long burdened by the yoke of colonialism and calls us to take part in building a more just, fraternal, and compassionate present and future. By Massimiliano Menichetti
The Pope’s journey in Africa calls us to open our eyes and renew our hearts, urging us to act so that humanity may show a truer face. These days, thousands of people wait for and accompany the Holy Father, gathering along dusty red-earth roads and city streets. Often, behind the barriers, there are homes with tin roofs and buildings that are worn and fragile; yet people’s eyes are filled with joy, and smiles appear as soon as a glance meets a greeting.
Many wait for hours just to catch sight of the Pope’s car or the convoy that accompanies him, hoping for a photo or a lasting memory. They sing, dance, wave flags and branches, and raise their hands high. This visit is a journey into the wounds and hopes of peoples often overlooked, but it is also an invitation to everyone: to change perspective, not to look away, and to build bonds of fraternity and genuine relationships without giving in to fear or resignation.
The Africa that Pope Leo encounters shows remarkable vitality and energy, along with a vast capacity for the future. At the same time, the weight of ongoing forms of colonial influence remains clear, as global forces continue to limit and control this potential. In places where resources are extracted, land is damaged by toxic waste, and conflicts, divisions, and corruption are fueled, what is taken by political and economic powers is not only wealth, but the present and future of entire generations.
On a planet marked by war and violence, the Successor of Peter instead works to build bridges, encouraging encounter, reconciliation, awareness, unity, and peace. This is evident, for example, in the northwestern Cameroonian city of Bamenda, which has been reconnected to the rest of the country during the visit. Due to violence linked to the separatist crisis—causing thousands of displaced people and many deaths—roads had largely disappeared, and the airport had been unusable for eight years. The Pope’s arrival has helped restart not only physical reconstruction, but also a renewal of hope.
Through his journey, the Pope also highlights the distinct realities of the nations he is visiting, challenging the tendency to treat Africa as a single entity rather than a diverse continent. He points to unity within diversity and to the shared dignity of the human family, in which every person is a child of God. He shows the richness of the Church’s many voices, called to share the message of the Gospel, which, when lived, fosters creativity and helps build societies that are more just, fraternal, and supportive.
The Pope calls for shared responsibility and, from Africa, speaks to the entire world. He raises a fundamental question that invites each of us to move toward others: to meet them, forgive them, support them, and walk together, taking responsibility for building a common future. In a world often shaped by division, pride, and threats, the Holy Father presents the face of Christ, who calls each person to change by living out that commitment in daily life.
Through this journey, Leo is helping to reconnect humanity, restoring to peoples the dignity and freedom to grow and develop, and challenging claims of domination and control.
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Pope Leo Appeals For Dialogue To End Wars In Ukraine And Middle East
Speaking at the Regina Coeli after Mass in Angola, Pope Leo XIV expresses closeness to the people of Ukraine amid intensified attacks and appeals for dialogue and diplomatic efforts in Lebanon. By Linda Bordoni
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his appeal for a path of dialogue to be pursued in Ukraine, which is under increased Russian attacks, and in the Middle East, where he said, a ceasefire in Lebanon is "a sign of hope."
He was speaking during the Regina Coeli address after Holy Mass in the Kilamba district of Luanda in Angola on Sunday, on the second day of his visit to the southern African nation.
Appeal For Diplomatic Solution To Ukraine War
“I deeply regret the recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine, which continue to affect the civilian population,” the Pope said, and he expressed his closeness and prayers to all who are suffering.
“I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent,” he added, “and for the path of dialogue to be pursued.”
The past week has seen Russia launch the deadliest attacks in months on Ukraine, with more than 700 drones in multiple waves, killing at least 18 people in Odesa, Dnipro and Kyiv. The intensification of strikes came after a brief ceasefire took place during the Orthodox Easter last weekend, although both sides accused each other of hundreds of violations.
Truce In Lebanon A Sign Of Hope
Pope Leo went on to say that “the announced truce in Lebanon is a sign of hope, offering relief to the Lebanese people and to the wider Levant.”
“I encourage those engaged in seeking a diplomatic solution to continue along the path of peace, so that the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East may become lasting,” he appealed.
A 10-day ceasefire came into effect on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon, announced earlier in the day by the U.S. President. Israeli attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon have killed almost 2,000 people, injured thousands and displaced tens of thousands.
United In Prayer
Pope Leo, who is in Angola on the third leg of his four-nation apostolic journey to the African Continent, concluded the celebration of Holy Mass in Luanda’s Kilamba esplanade, inviting the faithful to join him in prayer.
“With this joyful hymn, we do not wish to silence or drown out the cry of those who suffer,” he said, “Rather, we seek to embrace it and join it to our own voices in a new harmony, so that even in pain the light of faith may remain alive, and with it the hope for a better world.”
Noting that Christ conquered death, he said that “united with him and in him as one body”, we must “strive today and every day to foster around us the fruits of Easter: love, true justice, and peace, beyond every obstacle and difficulty."
“May the Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Heart, help us always to feel alive and strong within us, the presence of her risen Son close at hand.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Encourages Italy’s Catholic University To Foster Knowledge And Faith
Pope Leo XIV encourages the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy to interpret the Gospel in the educational and cultural sphere, as the institution marks its annual day of celebration. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Italy's Catholic University of the Sacred Heart is called "to be an interpreter of the Gospel in the educational and cultural sphere, in constant dialogue with the Church’s Magisterium."
Pope Leo XIV gave this encouragement in a letter on the occasion of the 102nd Day for the Italian university sent on the Pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Archbishop Mario Delpini of Milan, the President of the Giuseppe Toniolo Institute for Higher Studies, the founding body of the University.
Love, Faith, And Knowledge
The Pope recalled that this year's theme is “The Experience of Knowledge," and therefore said it is helpful to begin with the well-known expression of Saint Paul in the First Letter to the Corinthians: 'If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing (1 Cor 13:2).'
The Holy Father stressed that Saint Paul's words invite us to reflect more deeply.
First, he said, we are reminded that knowledge is born from a love for learning, because the act of knowing is the fruit of a desire and a specific movement of the human soul even before it is an application of the intellect.
Wisdom For Life
"Remembering this principle," the Pope said, "is fundamental, both for promoting a formation that does not generate distortions or instrumental and ideological uses of knowledge, and for ensuring a form of knowledge which, by recognizing the truth and goodness present in reality, can also be translated into wisdom for life."
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope In Angola: Jesus Is With Us When We Forgive And Pray Together
Pope Leo XIV visits the elderly at a care home in the Angolan city of Saurimo, and recalls that the quality of a nation is seen in how it cares for the weakest. By Devin Watkins
Pope Leo XIV flew to the northeastern city of Saurimo on Monday morning, as he began the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Angola.
After landing, the Pope traveled to a care home for the elderly run by the Angolan government.
Known by residents as “Lar,” which means “home,” the facility hosts 62 elderly people, of whom 26 are men and 36 are women.
Speaking to the elderly residents, Pope Leo expressed his joy for their “faith-filled welcome” and shared his hopes that they may truly live in a family atmosphere worthy of the care home’s informal name.
He recalled that Jesus loved to visit the home of His friends, spending time with Peter’s mother-in-law and often visiting the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Capernaum.
In this care home, too, said the Pope, Jesus dwells with its elderly residents, especially when they forgive one another and seek reconciliation after a small offense.
“He dwells among you whenever you try to love one another and help one another as brothers and sisters,” he said. “When all of you, or even some of you, pray together with simplicity and humility, He is here among you.”
Pope Leo XIV thanked the Angolan authorities for supporting initiatives such as the Lar care home.
“The care of the weakest is a very important sign of the quality of the social life of a nation,” he said. “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 concluded his brief address by praying for the elderly residents and entrusting them to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Listen to our report HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Holy See Permanent Obeserver To FAO: "Peace Is Essential To Eradicate Hunger"
In light of the systemic shocks caused by the war in the Middle East, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the FAO urges immediate measures to stabilize markets and protect vulnerable populations and echoes the Pope's call to "let us embrace diplomacy to ensure sustainable development." By Davide Dionisi
The Holy See has expressed deep concern regarding the numerous crises affecting the people of the Middle East and Africa, with significant impacts on agro-food production systems. The ongoing conflicts and severe weather events are pushing an increasing number of people into poverty, hunger, and food insecurity.
Archbishop Fernando Chica Arellano, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the FAO, IFAD, and WFP voiced this concern during the 38th session of the Regional Conference for the Middle East (NERC), where one of the themes was "Strategic measures to be adopted in response to systemic crises affecting agro-food systems in the context of the ongoing conflict."
A Coordinated Political Response
According to Archbishop Chica Arellano, "the rising costs of energy and fertilizers, coupled with uncertainty in supply chains, are driving up production costs and exacerbating food price volatility, particularly in vulnerable countries that depend on imports."
"The escalation of the current conflict in the Middle East," explained the Holy See’s Permanent Observer, "will have consequences beyond borders and further worsen hunger worldwide, especially among the most vulnerable populations. " Therefore, he stressed the urgent need to put into action "a coordinated and multi-level political response to manage the crises we are facing, protect populations, and strengthen long-term resilience."
Preserving Energy And Food Security
"This particularly concerns preventing localized disturbances from escalating into broader economic and humanitarian crises," the Archbishop emphasized. In this context, he pushed that "immediate measures must be taken to stabilize supply chains and long-term strategies focused on the resilience of sustainable national agriculture, renewable energy, and structural adjustments, in order to preserve global energy and food security."
Papal Appeals
The Permanent Observer also reminded those present at the conference that, in the face of numerous factors of instability exacerbating poverty and food insecurity, Pope Leo XIV has consistently advocated for peace.
"The end of divisions and hostilities is essential to open pathways to peace, based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every person," he stated, adding that "the challenge is also to alleviate the suffering of populations who, despite being innocent, tragically become victims of conflicts caused by others."
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Pope: Promote A Reconciled Memory By Educating Everyone In Harmony
Pope Leo XIV meets with bishops, clergy, men and women religious, and pastoral workers in Luanda, and highlights the courage of the Angolan Church in “denouncing the scourge of war," urging Angolans to help build a society based on freedom and fairness. By Antonella Palermo
Building "a free, reconciled, beautiful and great Angolan society” is the essential goal to which the local Church is called to contribute, Pope Leo XIV remarked in his address on Monday at the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Luanda. The Pope met with representatives of the local Church: Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Consecrated persons, Catechists, and Pastoral Workers. He arrived after his visit to Saurimo in northeast Angola. Yesterday in Kimbala, Leo urged the ecclesial community to continue listening to the cry of its children. Today, after hearing the president of the Episcopal Conference and testimonies from a priest, a catechist, and a religious sister, that encouragement became a call to denounce injustices, promote a reconciled memory, and foster education in harmony.
A Missionary, Synodal, Dynamic Church
Built by Capuchin friars in the 1960s, the parish hosting the meeting has in its foundations a stone from a Portuguese city of Fatima. Its two towers rise above, the lower—about twenty meters high—topped by an image of the Virgin. Here the Pope gave thanks for the evangelizing work of a courageous Church that has sown peace where history has brought violence to this people. This courage, as recalled by Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of Saurimo, president of the Episcopal Conference, follows the mandate entrusted here by previous popes, Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It is a Church with a strong missionary identity, striving to be strong, dynamic, and present in all spheres of life. It is engaged in fruitful ecumenical efforts and has begun interreligious dialogue with the Islamic community in Angola. To respond to current needs, a new male missionary institute dedicated to Mama Muxima is being established.
READ THE FULL ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV AT THE MEETING
The Importance Of Catechists
The Pope encourages young people not to be afraid to renew their “yes” to Christ, “to model your lives entirely on his.” “Do not be afraid of tomorrow,” he urged, “you belong entirely to the Lord. . It is worth following him in obedience, poverty and celibacy. He takes nothing away!” He insisted—also in light of the testimony of Manuel Almeida, coordinator of Diocesan catechists and community leaders—on the importance of the lay vocation of those who carry out Christian initiation with dedication across the territory.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Leo Recalls Francis’ Legacy Of Generosity, Mercy For Church And World
Aboard the flight from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV recalls his predecessor Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, saying the late Pope “gave so much through his life and his closeness to the poor.” By Salvatore Cernuzio – Aboard papal plane
“On this first anniversary of his death, I would like to remember Pope Francis, who left so much, who gave so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words, and his gestures. He did so by truly living closeness to the poorest, to the least, to the sick, to children, and to the elderly.”
Pope Leo XIV offered those words about his predecessor to journalists as he flew from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, which marks the final leg of his Apostolic Journey to Africa.
The flight came on the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at dawn on April 21, 2025.
The anniversary is being marked by the Church throughout the world.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Maintaining Hope: Equatorial Guinea Waits For The Pope
As Equatorial Guinea prepares to receive Pope Leo XIV, Vatican News speaks to residents of Malabo about their expectations for his upcoming visit. By Joseph Tulloch - Malabo
Just north of the Equator, in the warm, volcano-studded waters of the Gulf of Guinea, lies the island of Bioko. Much of its surface is covered by mountains and tropical rainforest, but the island is also home to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea’s oldest city and, until January of this year, its capital.
On Tuesday, 21 April, Pope Leo XIV arrives in the city for the fourth and final leg of his Apostolic Journey across Africa.
He will encounter a country which has, in many ways, undergone a total transformation since it last received a visit from a Pope in 1982—due in large part to the discovery of large oil reserves in the mid-1990s.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Pope Encourages Young People To Bear Witness To Christ With Courage And Joy
To the young people and families gathered at the Bata Stadium, Leo XIV, responding one by one to the testimonies presented for reflection, spoke about the value of effort and discipline in life and dignified work, the challenges faced by women in the workplace, the happiness found in giving oneself to God, and the exciting mission of being spouses and parents. By Alina Tufani Díaz
Music, songs, colors, smiles, and joy filled the Bata Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 30,000 people and was packed with young people and families, seminarians, priests, and the faithful of Bata, who gave the Pope a “warm welcome.” In thanking them for such affection, the Pope recalled the motto of the visit to Equatorial Guinea—“Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, toward a future of hope”—and assured them that "the brightest light here is the one that shines in your eyes, on your faces, in your smiles, and through your songs," all bearing witness that "Christ is the joy, meaning, inspiration, and beauty of our lives.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Prays At Bata Memorial For Victims Of 7 March 2021 Blasts
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea‘s coastal city of Bata, Pope Leo XIV honours the victims of a tragic explosion in a military base in 2021. Vatican News
visited Equatorial Guinea‘s city of Bata, to honour the victims of a tragic series of explosions that rocked the city‘s military base just over five years ago.
After a visit to the prison where he engaged with authorities and inmates and had words of consolation for those enduring prison sentences, the Pope stopped at the site of the "Memorial Monument for the Victims of the 7 March 2021 Explosions."
Here, before the sombre brick building adorned by plaques with the names of 107 people who lost their lives in the series of blasts, the Pope stepped out of the car and, in the pouring rain, stopped in silent prayer and paid homage to the victims.
A wreath of white roses was placed in front of a sculpture depicting a victim being compassionately embraced.
The tragedy
On 7 March 2021, a series of explosions were recorded at the armoury of the Nkuantoma gendarmerie and military barracks in Bata, the economic capital of Equatorial Guinea.
According to official records, 107 people lost their lives due to the explosions, which also caused extensive damage to residential areas and the military compound. More than 700 people were wounded, including women and children, in the army barracks as well as in the residential areas near the military compound.
The Government described the situation as catastrophic and called for the international community’s support to respond to humanitarian needs.
In response to this request, the United Nations deployed two international teams: a security team to assess unexploded ordnance risks and a humanitarian team to provide immediate medical attention.
Many people were displaced by the explosions, and medical treatment was provided to at least 615 affected people.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope At Bata Prison: 'No one is excluded from God’s love'
During his visit to Bata Prison in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV emphasised that no one is excluded from God’s love, calling for justice that restores dignity and supports rehabilitation, while encouraging inmates to believe in the possibility of change. By Vatican News
During his Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV visited the prison of Bata on Wednesday morning, meeting inmates, staff, and representatives of prison pastoral care in the courtyard - where detainees and staff had gathered in song and dance.
On Dignity
After a brief welcome address and a short testimony from one of the inmates, Pope Leo addressed the inmates and prison staff, saying, "I have listened carefully to your words", and he thanked those who had spoken before him. He pointed to their testimony as evidence that "human dignity and hope are never lost, even in the midst of difficulties".
He then emphasised: "No one is excluded from God’s love".
Referring to the image of Christ as an example, he recalled that even in situations of injustice and suffering, love retains the capacity to transform. For this reason, he said, every person remains "precious in the Lord’s eyes", regardless of their past.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE GREETINGS OF POPE LEO XIV
Justice And Reintegration
Pope Leo then went on to address the role of the justice system. He recognised its responsibility to protect society but stressed that it must also promote the dignity and potential of each individual. "True justice seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities wounded by evil", he said, adding that "there is no justice without reconciliation".
A Place For Change
Speaking then directly to the inmates, the Pope described prison not only as a place of confinement, but also as a possible space for reflection and personal development. He emphasised the importance of access to education and meaningful work during detention. "Life is not defined solely by one’s mistakes", he said, reminding the inmates that "there is always the possibility to start over".
He also addressed the experience of isolation, reminding inmates that they are not alone. "Your families love you and are waiting for you. Many people outside these walls are praying for you", he said, adding, again, that God does not abandon anyone.
Acknowledging Staff And Chaplaincy
The Pope finally thanked the prison director, officers, and chaplain for their work, highlighting the importance of combining security with respect and humane treatment. This, he said, helps create the conditions necessary for reintegration into society.
At the end of the meeting, an inmate presented the Pope with a wooden cross made inside the prison, describing it as a symbol of their "stories, wounds and hope" for a new beginning.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Leo Visits Pope Francis Technology School In Equatorial Guinea
One day after the first anniversary of Pope Francis' passing, Pope Leo XIV makes a brief visit to an educational institution in Mongomo named after the late pontiff, which works to help young people in Equatorial Guinea develop technological skills and training. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV visited the Pope Francis Technology School in the eastern city of Mongomo on Wednesday, the Pope's last full day in the Equatorial Guinea.
The visit to the school named after his predecessor took place one day after the first-year anniversary of Pope Francis' passing.
Yesterday, Pope Leo remembered Pope Francis in a message he sent to the Mass being celebrated at the Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome in his honor, calling the late Pope "a devoted shepherd who touched so many hearts" and noting he "remained a disciple of the Lord, faithful to his Baptism and to his consecration in episcopal ministry, until the end."
The Holy Father recognized that Pope Francis had served as Successor of Peter and Pastor of the universal Church "at a time that has marked—and continues to mark—a change of era, a change of which he was fully aware, offering all of us a courageous witness that represents a significant patrimony for the Church."
He also invited journalists aboard the papal flight to join him in thanking the Lord for the great gift of Francis’ life to the whole Church and the world.
The Pope Francis Technology School is an educational institution works to promote technological and vocational training, especially for young people.
Prior to this visit, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the same city.
Later in the day, he will meet with prisoners and young people.
On Thursday, after celebrating his final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, the Holy Father will conclude his 11-day four-nation Apostolic Journey to Africa and return to Rome.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope’s Psychiatric Hospital Visit A ‘Huge’ Message On Mental Health
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s arrival to the Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo, staff members tell Vatican News that the visit will send a “very strong” message on the importance of mental health care. By Joseph Tulloch – Malabo
At the Jean-Pierre Olie Psychatric Hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, preparations are well underway for the visit of Pope Leo. The official logo of the Apostolic Journey, containing the motto “Christ, light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope”, has been tacked to the outside of buildings, and rows of chairs have been drawn up in a central pavilion where patients and staff will gather to hear from the Pope.
“It’s a huge honour”, says Prof. Bechir Ben Hadj Ali, the Tunisian doctor who serves as Director General of the hospital. The Pope’s visit is an “extremely important gesture”, he stresses, one that will shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health in Equatorial Guinea and worldwide.
The facility, the only one of its kind in the country, was founded a decade ago, and began with just twenty-five beds. It now has 146, split across six wards. At the moment, it is caring for some 125 patients (100 men and 25 women) living with psychosis, depression, anxiety, and substance addiction.
In December 2025, the hospital was renamed in honour of the renowned French psychiatrist Jean-Pierre Olié, who played a key role in setting it up. The support of First Lady Constancia Mangue de Obiang was also essential, says Prof. Ben Hadj Ali.
Across the world, but in particular in Africa, the Tunisian doctor stresses, mental health is often mistakenly considered to be of “secondary” importance. The Pope’s visit thus sends a “very strong” message on the importance of caring for those suffering from mental illnesses.
Dr. Engracia Asangono Nchuchuma, deputy director of the hospital, explains that the structure has recently evolved toward a model of community-based care. The hospital not only offers outpatient psychiatric and psychological consultations from Monday to Friday, but also has a mobile team that travels to care for patients who, for various reasons, cannot attend their check-ups. In addition, it has recently opened a child psychiatry unit to address growing demand among minors.
An effort is also made to meet the spiritual needs of patients, says Dr Asangono Nchuchuma, including celebrations of Mass and, more recently, preparation for the papal visit.
When Pope Leo arrives, she stresses, he will “help everyone to see people with mental illnesses not as individuals to be isolated, but to integrate into our communities”.
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Pope at Mass In Mongomo: Humanity Hungers For Justice And Peace
On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Mongomo, and urges Christians to proclaim the Gospel and build a future of hope and reconciliation for their resource-rich land. By Devin Watkins
Pope Leo XIV presided at Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the eastern city of Mongomo on his second and penultimate day in Equatorial Guinea.
The city of around 7,000 residents sits just one kilometer from the border with Gabon, is the birthplace of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and hosted several Cup of Africa soccer events in 2015.
In his homily, Pope Leo recalled the missionaries who began to evangelize Equatorial Guinea 170 years ago, and pointed to the words of Pope St. Paul VI in 1969: “Africans, from now on, you are missionaries to yourselves.”
He thanked the many missionaries, priests, religious, and lay people who have become signs of God’s love.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Cardinal Koovakad: Pope’s Africa visit shows religions are a privileged path to peace
As Pope Leo XIV wraps up his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue reflects on the Pope’s proposal for religions to build justice, social stability, and peaceful coexistence among peoples. By Cardinal George J. Koovakad
The interreligious events of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey held particular significance especially in Algeria and Cameroon, but also in his addresses to the authorities and the diplomatic corps in Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
He outlined a coherent vision of dialogue among religions as a privileged path to peace, reconciliation, and social stability. Taken together, the stages of the journey reveal a single unifying thread, in which symbolic gestures and words converge in the same theological and pastoral perspective.
In Algeria, the journey presented itself from the outset as directed toward the building of bridges and reconciliation. The Pope described it as “a valuable opportunity to continue with the same voice, with the same message, that we wish to convey: to promote peace, reconciliation, respect and consideration for all peoples,” invoking Saint Augustine as “a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue.”
In his address to civil authorities in Algiers, he placed universal fraternity at the center: “we are brothers and sisters, for we have the same Father in heaven,” indicating faith as a principle of convergence capable of sustaining justice, solidarity, and peace.
This orientation found concrete expression in the gestures he made, especially in the visit to the Great Mosque, where he reaffirmed “the dignity of every human being.” He added that: “We can learn to respect one another, live in harmony and build a world of peace.” The message he left in the book of honor—“May the mercy of the Most High keep in peace and freedom the noble Algerian people and the whole human family”—effectively sums up this universal vision.
At the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, dialogue was expressed in a concrete and everyday form, as shown by his statement that faith “does not isolate, but opens us up; it unites us, but does not create confusion; it brings us closer, without homogenizing.”
Finally, in Annaba, the Augustinian perspective rooted the journey in a more deeply spiritual dimension, linking the search for God to the building of peace and to charity: “faith in the one God… unites people according to perfect justice, which calls everyone to charity.” Pastor, I cannot be in favor of war; too many innocents have died
On the return flight to Rome, Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists about his mission to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, recalls child victims of the wars in Iran and Lebanon, condemns the death penalty, and insists on respect for international law. by Vatican News
“Good day, everyone. I hope you are well, that you are ready for another journey. With fully recharged batteries already!”
Pope Leo XIV has concluded his long Apostolic Journey in Africa. Aboard the flight from Malabo—the final stop in Equatorial Guinea—back to Rome, he answered questions from five of the roughly 70 journalists who followed the international visit.
He addressed the issues of war, the US-Iran negotiations, migration, the death penalty, and the blessing of homos*xual couples.
The Pope began with a reflection on the experience he had just concluded in four African nations.
Below is a working English transcription and translation of the press conference:
[Pope Leo XIV, in Italian:] When I travel, I speak for myself, but today as Pope, Bishop of Rome, it is above all a pastoral Apostolic Journey to meet, accompany, and get to know the People of God.
Very often the interest expressed is more political: ‘What does the Pope say about this or that issue? Why doesn’t he judge the government in one country or another?’ And there are certainly many things to say. I have spoken about justice, and those issues are there.
But that is not the first word: the journey should be understood above all as an expression of the desire to proclaim the Gospel, to announce the message of Jesus Christ, which is a way of drawing close to the people in their happiness, in the depth of their faith, but also in their suffering.
There, it is clear that very often it is necessary to make comments or to look for ways to encourage people themselves to take responsibility for their lives. It is also important to speak with Heads of State, to encourage a change of mindset or greater openness to thinking about the common good, and to consider issues such as the distribution of a country’s resources. In the talks we had, we did a bit of everything, but above all we saw and met the people with this enthusiasm.
I am very happy with the whole journey, but living, accompanying, and walking with the people of Equatorial Guinea was truly a blessing, with the rain… They were happy with the rain the other day, but above all it was a sign of sharing with the universal Church what we celebrate in our faith.
Ignazio Ingrao (Tg1): Your Holiness, thank you for this journey rich in encounters, stories, and faces. At the peace meeting in Bamenda, Cameroon, you described an upside-down world where a handful of tyrants risk destroying the planet. Peace, you said, must not be invented but welcomed. Negotiations over the Iran conflict are in chaos, with heavy effects on the global economy. Do you hope for regime change in Iran, given that civil society and students also took to the streets in recent months, and there is global concern about the nuclear race? What appeal do you make to the United States, Iran, and Israel to break the deadlock and stop the escalation? And should NATO and Europe be more involved?
[Pope Leo XIV, in Italian:] I would like to begin by saying that we must promote a new attitude and a culture of peace. Very often, when we assess certain situations, the immediate response is that we must go in with violence, with war, with attacks.
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Saturday, April 25th 2026 at 12:13PM
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