Pope Pope Leo XIV is set to arrive in Angola as part of a landmark African tour that has unfolded alongside rising diplomatic tensions with US President Donald Trump over global conflicts, particularly the Middle East war.
The pontiff is expected to land in the Angolan capital, Luanda, on Saturday afternoon, where large billboards have been erected in anticipation of his visit. Angola becomes the third stop on his African tour, following earlier visits to Cameroon and other regional engagements.
This marks the third papal visit to Angola after earlier trips by Popes John Paul II in 1992 and Benedict XVI in 2009. About 44 percent of Angola’s population identifies as Catholic.
During his visit, Pope Leo is expected to meet President João Lourenço and deliver a public address. He will also lead an open-air Mass and visit key religious and social institutions across the country.
The trip comes amid heightened global attention on the pope’s increasingly outspoken stance on war, corruption, and exploitation of natural resources. His recent comments condemning global “tyrants” and the use of religion to justify violence have drawn attention, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The pontiff’s remarks have also triggered a public exchange with US President Donald Trump, who has criticised his positions on foreign policy. Pope Leo has, however, insisted he will continue speaking out against war and injustice, stating he is not afraid of political pressure.
Throughout his African tour, the pope has emphasised themes of peace, accountability, and economic justice, particularly in resource-rich nations such as Angola, where inequality remains a major concern despite significant oil and mineral wealth.
After Angola, the pontiff is scheduled to continue his 18,000-kilometre tour with visits to other African nations before concluding the trip later in the week
