The Catholic Church in Angola said Pope Leo XIV will encounter families who are “joyful, capable of dreaming and overcoming difficulties” during his upcoming visit to the country.
The remarks were made by the Archdiocese of Luanda as it outlined preparations for the pontiff’s visit, scheduled between April 18 and 21. Church leaders emphasized that clergy and faithful across the country are fully mobilized to استقبال the Pope.
Archbishop Filomeno Vieira Dias said the visit has generated enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility among Angolans. “This is a visit that inspires us and mobilizes us to welcome a man who comes in the name of universal fraternity,” he told reporters in Luanda.
The trip, under the theme “Pilgrim of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace,” will include meetings with government officials, encounters with clergy, and public masses in Kilamba and at the Sanctuary of Muxima, as well as a visit to Saurimo.
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Church leaders say the Pope is expected to deliver a message of unity and social cohesion, encouraging Angolans to place people at the center of national life, regardless of background.
Vieira Dias highlighted reconciliation as a key theme of the visit, stressing that it remains an ongoing process in Angola, even 24 years after the country achieved peace. “Reconciliation is not a one-time act—it is something that must be built continuously,” he said, noting that some citizens still feel marginalized or excluded.
He argued that Angola needs “effective reconciliation at all levels” to move forward as a united nation.
Father Adelino Calonda, coordinator of the papal visit in Luanda, said the Pope will find families that remain strong despite social and economic challenges. “They are capable of dreaming and overcoming difficulties,” he said, adding that the visit aims to strengthen faith and renew hope among the population.
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A fundraising campaign led by the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé is also underway to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly.
