Poverty and social justice continue to dominate the agenda as Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Angola on April 18, marking the third papal visit to the country.
Like previous visits by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, the trip comes close to an election period and is expected to highlight themes such as reconciliation, poverty, and human rights.
John Paul II’s visit took place months before Angola’s first multiparty elections following a 27-year civil war. During his week-long stay, he emphasized justice, peace, and reconstruction, while also noting the Church’s resilience through difficult political periods.
Benedict XVI visited shortly after the country’s second elections, focusing on inequality, corruption, wealth distribution, and national rebuilding. His message included calls for unity, poverty reduction, and anti-corruption efforts.
Read more about this topic: Angola: Pope’s visit will highlight “problems of eastern Angola”
Now, Pope Leo XIV arrives one year before new elections in which President João Lourenço will not be eligible to run again under the constitution. His visit carries the theme “Pilgrim of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.”
Despite 24 years of peace, concerns about poverty, inequality, and social exclusion remain. The Archbishop of Luanda, Filomeno Vieira Dias, stressed that many Angolans still feel marginalized and called for deeper, more effective reconciliation across society.
The visit will take place from April 18 to 21 as part of a broader 10-day African tour, which also includes Algeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea.
