PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass, leads rosary in Angola
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 urges Angola’s young people to build a world free of war, injustice, and poverty
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.
National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples
According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.
This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.
The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.
Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:
Springs in the Desert
Springs in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church.
The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood.
Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.
The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.
For this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.
Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.
The Fruitful Hollow
The Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support.
The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering.
The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled “Sisters of Hannah,” and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry’s mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.
The ministry’s work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.
In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.
Elizabeth Ministry
A parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption.
The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.
The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.
Elizabeth Ministry’s work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.
Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show
The beloved children’s book series “Chime Travelers” has now made an exciting leap from page to screen with its development into an animated TV series, bringing its imaginative world to life in a whole new way.
Known for its blend of adventure, time travel, and meaningful life lessons, the Catholic series has captivated young readers with its charming characters and heartfelt storytelling for over 10 years.
“Chime Travelers,” written by Catholic author Lisa Hendey, follows twins Patrick and Katie as they travel to different places and time periods — all thanks to some magical church bells — to learn valuable life lessons from the saints.
Developed by Family Theater Productions and Herald Entertainment, the new animated series depicts the same stories from the book series and includes episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.
In an interview with EWTN News, Hendey said she’s “absolutely thrilled with the outcome” of the animated series.
She shared that she had been in conversations with Family Theater Productions — a Catholic production studio in Hollywood — since 2017 about adapting the books for television.
“They really saw at an early point the potential for the books to become a very dynamic [series], something even bigger than what they were as books, and itʼs been a long path enough to get to where we are now,” Hendey said.
Father David Guffey, executive producer of “Chime Travelers” and the national director of Family Theater Productions, told EWTN News that he believed this series needed to be made because there aren’t many options in terms of Catholic media for children.
“If you look at all the media thatʼs out there, thereʼs not much for Catholic children,” he said. “Thereʼs a lot for Catholic teens. Thereʼs a lot for Catholic adults. Thereʼs not a lot of Catholic childrenʼs programming. And we decided just to take a risk on this animated series so that thereʼd be another option for parents that wanted something solid to show their children.”
While the book series only included five stories, the animated series will have more saint stories made into episodes for future seasons. For these additional stories, Hendey is serving as a consultant.
“Iʼm so delighted that they continue to involve my voice and to give me the chance to say, ‘Well, I donʼt think my character would say that, or have we tried this, or have we thought about this?’ But the new stories are — theyʼre so exciting because theyʼre brand-new. I didnʼt write books about them,” she said. “And now the question will be, do we adapt books from those or what happens next?”
Guffey, who is also a biblical consultant on the hit series “The Chosen," said he believes the rise in popularity in faith-based movies and shows being created has “been a long time in coming.”
“For a long time, executives in Hollywood didnʼt believe that Christians were an audience,” he explained. “They didnʼt believe there was a faith-based audience and so they were very reluctant to fund or distribute projects. Weʼve had some big signs that there is an audience. Christians have proved themselves.”
He highlighted “The Passion of the Christ” as the faith-based movie that opened the doors for other faith-based films to be created and “The Chosen” for doing the same for faith-based television series.
“Christians and Catholics are showing they will seek out the kind of content that suits their families and their faith. And thatʼs going to change Hollywood — the business side of Hollywood especially,” Guffey added.
The Catholic priest also emphasized the importance of creating faith-based media specifically for children.
“With an adult show, adults will watch it once and theyʼre done. But with childrenʼs shows, if theyʼre of any quality at all, children will watch them over and over and over again. So, these shows and these stories really form young people in a really significant way,” he said.
Hendey added that she’s grateful “we have now programming thatʼs not only faithful — because we always wanted to be faithful and we always wanted to really speak to the truth and the beauty and the goodness of our Church — but also thatʼs fun, thatʼs compelling, that kids want to watch over and over again.”
As for her hopes for the series, Hendey said: “I hope that the kids who watch this, in particular, understand the agency that they have in their own lives to learn valuable lessons from the community of saints and to be a force for good in our world. We need them. We need their hearts and their purity and the love that they have, and so I hope they feel emboldened to realize that they really can make change in their world and in our world.”
Guffey added: “When youʼre a kid, you think the problem youʼre going through, youʼre the only one that ever had it and you think you can be a very lonely place. I hope the series shows that first of all, Katie and Patrick go through some of the things they go through at school or at home, but also that the saints and the people whoʼve gone before us have gone through the same thing. And we can draw on the wisdom and the experience of others to gracefully move through the problems, the troubles that we encounter in our lives today.”
“The lives of the saints are the lives of the Gospel in action. And I think itʼs important that children see how faith is put into practice,” Guffey shared. “And when we tell the stories of the saints, we are really telling the story of people who put their faith into practice in the good times and in the more difficult times.”
Pope Leo XIV in Angola: ‘Build the hope of the future’
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 laypeople 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.
Before leading the “Regina Coeli” after the Mass, Pope Leo turned to several international crises. He lamented the “recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine,” noting that civilians continue to suffer, and said: “I express my closeness to all who suffer and assure my prayers for all the Ukrainian people. I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”
The pope also referred to the announced truce in Lebanon, saying it “is a cause for hope” and “a sign of relief for the Lebanese people.”
He added: “I encourage those engaged in a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks for the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East.”
Even after the celebration ended, the enthusiasm of the faithful did not fade. The crowd seemed reluctant to let the pope go, continuing with songs, dancing, and jubilant cries as the color and joy of the occasion carried on across the vast gathering space.
This story was first published in two parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Young professional Catholics build community amid Toronto’s secular landscape
In Toronto, Canadaʼs largest city, a growing community of young Catholic professionals is quietly reshaping what it means to live out faith in the modern world.
Young Professional Catholics of Toronto (YPCT), which has become an official lay association of the Archdiocese of Toronto, brings together ambitious individuals navigating careers and personal growth, all while remaining rooted in shared Catholic values.
Through networking events, service initiatives, and faith-centered gatherings, the group offers more than just social connection — it provides purpose and belonging as it redefines how Catholic identity can thrive among the next generation of leaders.
Founded in 2024 by Kateryna Sphir and Francis Odum, the latter of whom also currently serves as the groupʼs president, YPCT attracts men and women in the age range of 18 to 39 who meet monthly at different parishes and event spaces across the city.
Kathleen Muggeridge, who serves as the group’s vice president, spoke to EWTN News about the group’s purpose and the challenges young Catholics face in Toronto today. She explained that she sees Toronto as a “spiritually desolate place.”
“Medical assistance in dying [MAID] is being legalized across the country — thereʼs a lot of hopelessness,” she said. “One of the main reasons why [itʼs] being legalized is because of loneliness. And that loneliness doesnʼt just exist in the senior population, it also exists in the young adult population. Thereʼs a lot of isolation.”
Against this backdrop, YPCT aims to serve not only as a resource for young professional Catholics but also as a community where the members “can grow in their faith together.”
Non-Catholics are also welcome to join the group and hopefully “be inspired to start practicing their faith,” Muggeridge said.
Roughly 200 people attend each YPCT event, and for the first time the group plans to host a professional networking conference in the fall for about 500 attendees.
In addition to its monthly events, YPCT hopes to start a mentorship program where professional Catholics who are established in their careers serve as mentors and guides to younger individuals interested in the same field of work.
The group also plans to expand to other cities across Canada. Muggeridge explained that in order to do that they’re building a larger team in Toronto that includes a social media team, a stakeholder relations team, a finance team, a board of directors, and a spiritual director.
“Weʼre hoping to create a structured team format and then once we meet people who are interested in starting YPC in other provinces, we will be able to share that format with them,” she said.
Muggeridge highlighted the many challenges Catholics face in Canada right now. In addition to the legalization of assisted suicide, these include abortion being legal through all nine months of pregnancy and bubble zone laws preventing advocacy outside of abortion clinics.
With this in mind, Muggeridge said she hopes YPCT will “inspire these people to be passionate on certain issues that are related to the spiritual desolation [in the country].”
“So in addition to spiritual nourishment and community and networking, getting involved in these social issues is definitely something that is very important for us,” she added.
She also pointed out the difficulties many young people face in trying to find employment.
“Itʼs hard to build up a career on your own, especially if youʼre a newcomer or you donʼt have a lot of resources,” Muggeridge explained. “Even if youʼve gone to school for something, and youʼre certified in a specific field, itʼs hard to get a job in Canada these days. And so the networking that weʼre able to provide young Catholics, I think has been very valuable and especially when we launch our mentorship program, I think that will provide even more value for people.”
Muggeridge said the group’s main goal “is to just be a channel where people can come closer to Christ by the spiritual nourishment and community that we provide because we want to be in communion with Christ and with our brothers and sisters.”
“Our No. 2 goal is to just be a place where people can grow and develop in their field,” she added. “Work is something that is good and itʼs beautiful, and weʼre made to work and weʼre made to sanctify our work. So, we hope to inspire our members to do that as well.”
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV departs Cameroon, journeys to Angola
Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 18, saying Mass in Cameroon before departing for Angola on the next leg of his visit.
The Holy Father will spend several days in Angola before finishing his trip in Equatorial Guinea. This is his first papal trip to the continent.
Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leoʼs latest activities during his trip:
Pope Leo XIV urges Angola to ‘remove the obstacles to integral human development’
LUANDA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on April 18 called on Angola’s leaders and people to “remove the obstacles to integral human development,” urging them to choose the path of the common good, resist exploitative interests, and preserve the hope and joy that, he said, remain among Africa’s greatest treasures.
The pope spoke at the presidential palace in Luanda during his meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, the first public event of the Angola leg of his broader trip to Africa.
Arriving in Luanda earlier in the day, Leo traveled by popemobile through jubilant crowds lining the route to the palace. He also held a private meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço before delivering his address.
At the outset of his speech, the pope expressed solidarity with those affected by recent flooding in the country.
“Before continuing, I would like to offer the assurance of my prayers for the victims of the heavy rains and floods that have struck the province of Benguela, and to express my closeness to the families who have lost their homes,” he said. “I also know that you, the people of Angola, are united in a great chain of solidarity with those affected.”
His remarks came against the backdrop of mounting social strains in Angola, including protests last year over fuel price increases, repeated criticism by the country’s bishops over entrenched corruption, and deadly flooding in early April.
Leo framed his address around themes that have marked earlier stops on his Africa trip, including peace, reconciliation, the common good, and criticism of those who exploit the continent for personal gain.
Speaking in Portuguese, the pope praised the Angolan people for possessing “treasures that cannot be bought or taken away.”
“In particular, there dwells within you a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish,” he said. This joy, he added, “is no stranger to sorrow, indignation, disappointment, and defeat,” yet continues to be reborn in those who have resisted “the seductions of wealth.”
The pope sharply criticized patterns of exploitation directed at Africa.
“You know well that all too often people have looked — and continue to look — to your lands in order to give, or, more commonly, in order to take,” he said. “It is necessary to break this cycle of interests, which reduces reality, and even life itself, to mere commodities.”
Leo described Africa’s joy and hope as “virtues that I would not hesitate to call ‘political,’” because “her young people and her poor continue to dream and to hope.” He said they “are not content with what already exists; they strive to rise above, to prepare themselves for great responsibilities, and to take an active part in shaping their own future.”
He also emphasized that authentic social transformation cannot be imposed ideologically.
“Indeed, the wisdom of a people cannot be stifled by any ideology, and the longing for the infinite that dwells in the human heart is a principle of social transformation far deeper than any political or cultural program,” he said.
The pope said he had come to “listen to and encourage all those who have already chosen the paths of goodness, justice, peace, tolerance, and reconciliation,” while also praying “for the conversion of those who choose contrary paths and hinder its harmonious and fraternal development.”
Turning to Angola’s natural wealth, Leo warned against what he called a destructive extractive logic.
“How much suffering, how many deaths, how many social and environmental disasters are brought about by this logic of extractivism!” he said. At every level, he added, it supports “a model of development that discriminates and excludes, while still presuming to impose itself as the only viable option.”
He said Africa “urgently needs to overcome situations and dynamics of conflict and enmity that tear apart the social and political fabric of many countries, fostering poverty and exclusion.”
Only encounter allows life to flourish, the pope said, and dialogue must come first, even when disagreements emerge.
“Angola can experience great growth if, first of all, those who hold authority in the country believe in the manifold nature of its riches,” he said. “Do not be afraid of disagreement; do not suppress the ideas of the young or the dreams of the elderly; and know how to manage conflicts by transforming them into paths of renewal. Place the common good before every particular interest, never confusing your own part with the whole. History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you.”
Leo then returned to the themes of joy and hope, describing them not as merely private sentiments but as forces with public and political consequences.
“Despots and tyrants of both body and spirit seek to render souls passive and passions gloomy; they prefer a populace prone to inertia, docile and subservient to power,” he said.
Sadness, he argued, leaves people vulnerable to fear, fanaticism, manipulation, and isolation from public life. By contrast, “true joy frees us from such alienation,” he said, calling joy “a gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“Joy intensifies life and leads to the creation of community,” the pope said. “Joy knows how to carve paths even in the darkest zones of stagnation and hardship.”
He concluded with an appeal for moral and social renewal.
“Let us therefore examine our own hearts, dear friends, because without joy there is no renewal; without interiority there is no liberation; without encounter there is no politics; without the other there is no justice.”
Leo said the Catholic Church wants to help Angola become “a project of hope” by fostering a just model of coexistence, especially in poor urban neighborhoods and remote rural areas.
“Let us remove the obstacles to integral human development, working and hoping together alongside those whom the world has discarded but whom God has chosen,” 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.
Pope Leo XIV says debate with Trump is ‘not in my interest at all’
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Angola after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Cameroon on April 18, using the short journey to reject suggestions that his recent remarks about war were aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump while reflecting on the pastoral focus of his African trip.
In a brief in-flight press conference with journalists, the pope addressed the interpretation of some of his recent speeches as a response to criticism from Trump, who had accused him of weakness in foreign policy.
“[T]hereʼs been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself,” the pope said.
“Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”
He pointed in particular to his address at the April 16 prayer meeting for peace in Cameroon.
“Just one little example, the talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting,” he said.
“And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all.”
Leo XIV said he intends instead to continue proclaiming the Gospel and promoting peace.
“So we go on the journey, we continue proclaiming the Gospel message,” he said.
He added that the liturgies during the trip have highlighted what it means to follow Christ, promote fraternity, and seek justice and peace.
The pope also said the broader African journey has been shaped by themes that emerged at the start of the trip in Algeria, especially the figure of St. Augustine.
“I was personally very pleased, as you know, we began the trip in Algeria with the theme of St. Augustine, and yesterday at the Catholic University, we had the blessing of that beautiful monument that they had prepared with a map of Africa and St. Augustine at the center,” he said.
“And so in one sense, it expresses part of what this trip is about.”
Leo XIV emphasized that his primary purpose in Africa is to accompany Catholics.
“And I primarily come to Africa as pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa.”
He also referred to a meeting with imams in Cameroon, describing it in general terms as part of the Church’s continuing commitment to interreligious dialogue, understanding, and peace-building.
He concluded his main remarks by thanking journalists for their work and expressing hope that God would continue to bless the journey.
Responding later to a French journalist, Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the reception he received in Cameroon.
“I would just like to thank everyone in Cameroon for the wonderful welcome, the great enthusiasm, the joy of the people,” he said.
“It was absolutely fantastic, the experience ... how wonderful it is to experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to celebrate our faith together.”
The pope’s flight took him from Yaoundé to Luanda, crossing over Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Angola is the third and penultimate stop of his African journey.
The Catholic Church has long-standing ties with Angola. Formal relations date back centuries, including the 1608 appointment of Antonio Manuel Nyunda as the first ambassador to Rome from the then-Kingdom of Kongo.
More recently, in 2019, the Holy See and Angola signed an agreement recognizing the legal personality of the Catholic Church and defining its property rights.
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’s Algeria visit revives memory of pro-independence clergy
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Algeria has revived memories of Catholic clergy who sided with Algerians during the struggle for independence, often at considerable personal cost, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Tuesday.
Among the most prominent was Cardinal Léon-Étienne Duval, who defended the Algerian people’s right to self-determination and condemned torture during the war, drawing fierce criticism from French colonial circles. Archbishop Henri Teissier continued that line, grounding his ministry in solidarity, dialogue, and a lasting identification with the Algerian people. Bishop Jean Scotto became known for his outspoken opposition to “French Algeria,” while Father Alfred Berenguer argued publicly against colonial violence and for equal citizenship. Bishop Pierre Claverie, later assassinated in Oran in 1996, embodied a Christian presence rooted not in domination but in respect, dialogue, and fidelity to Algeria even in times of bloodshed.
Pope Leo’s stop at the Martyrs’ Memorial gave fresh visibility to that often-overlooked chapter of Catholic witness in North Africa.
Tanzanian bishop dies days after appointment to Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication
Bishop Bernardin Francis Mfumbusa of the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania has died at the age of 64, less than a week after Pope Leo XIV appointed him to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.
In a statement announcing the death of Mfumbusa and signed by the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), the conference president said the bishop died on April 14 at 5:45 a.m. while receiving treatment at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported Tuesday.
“It is with deep sorrow that we lose this relatively young bishop, who was 64 years old,” said TEC Secretary-General Father Charles Kitima in an April 14 video. “Initial treatment showed signs of hope, but by last night his condition worsened, and eventually the time came when he left us.”
Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urges creative faith formation at Slovakia conference
European leaders of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood urged renewed “creativity in the new evangelization” at a gathering in Bratislava, Slovakia, this week, Fides News Agency reported Thursday.
The April 12–16 conference focused on finding ways to reach children through evangelization, with participants from roughly 20 countries sharing pastoral experiences.
Participants heard calls from speakers including Sister Inês Paulo Albino, secretary-general of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood, and Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, the apostolic nuncio to Slovakia, who stressed missionary zeal and cultural adaptation in spreading the Gospel.
Kenyan bishops commend government for ‘relative peace,’ urge defense of marriage
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has lauded the Kenyan government for maintaining relative peace in the country while raising concern over growing threats to human life, the institution of marriage, and key public systems.
“We thank God for the relative peace in our country, aware that many parts of the world lack this peace. We in particular pray for peace in the Middle East and anywhere else where people are suffering due to wars,” the bishops said at a press briefing, according to an ACI Africa report on Friday.
The bishops also expressed concern over challenges in the civil registration of marriages, including bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and a shortage of marriage certificates, which they said are discouraging couples from formalizing unions. “These conditions have discouraged many from contracting marriage, as the statistics show,” they said.
Vietnamese film on Catholic dating appeals to broad audience
A Vietnamese-language film examining Catholic dating has grossed nearly $2 million after two weeks at the box office, according to a UCA News report Friday.
“Hẹn Em Ngày Nhật Thực” (“See You on the Day of the Eclipse”) follows the romance of a Catholic woman and non-Catholic man as they navigate the question of whether their relationship is possible.
“Its success is striking not only because of its subject matter but also because of the audience response,” the report said. “Many viewers — including non-Catholics — have reacted positively to a film that portrays religious life with unusual nuance.”
Education workshop in Indonesia urges collaboration between Church and state
Church leaders in the Diocese of Timika in Central Papua, Indonesia, called for the strengthened partnership between the Indonesian government and the Catholic Church amid teacher shortages and student dropouts in remote areas.
Deputy Regent of Mimika Emanuel Kemong urged local governments to work “in synergy” with the diocese to help improve the educational system, Licas News reported Friday. “This is a space for the encounter of ideas and shared struggles — a place where we reflect on the future of Catholic education in Papua,” he said in the wake of the April 13–16 gathering.
Church and state leaders congratulate new Chaldean patriarch
Formal and ecclesial messages poured in after the Chaldean Synod elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona as the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, taking the name Patriarch Paul III Nona, ACI MENA reported Monday.
Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and Parliament Speaker Haybat al-Halbousi were among the senior officials who congratulated him, each emphasizing coexistence, national unity, and the historic role of Iraq’s Christians.
Church leaders across the region followed suit, including Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, and heads of the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Syriac Orthodox Church, reflecting the broad ecclesial significance of the election.
Church bells rang in Chaldean communities worldwide, while Nona’s hometown of Alqosh, Iraq, marked the moment with public celebration.