On April 19, the seventh day in Africa, Pope Leo XIV marked a deeply spiritual yet emotionally charged day in Angola, with two public events, both filled with large crowds, strong devotion, and urgent appeals for peace.
As reported by Vatican News, the Pope’s visit combined pastoral closeness with strong messages of reconciliation, particularly for nations marked by conflict and hardship.
Holy Mass in Kilamba: A Call to Begin Again
The first major event was Holy Mass in Kilamba, a planned urban development about 30 kilometers from Angola’s capital, Luanda. Despite intense heat and high humidity, faithful from various regions gathered in large numbers for the mass.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who encounter the Risen Christ but fail to recognize Him.
“In this opening scene of the Gospel,” the Pope said, “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 added that the sorrow of the disciples mirrored Angola’s own painful history, including “a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, squandered resources, and poverty.”
The Pope urged the nation to “begin anew,” emphasizing that the Lord walks with His people even in suffering, offering compassion and renewal.
Marian Prayer at Mamã Muxima Shrine
In the afternoon, tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered at Muxima, Angola’s most important Marian pilgrimage site, located nearly 130 kilometers from Luanda. There, the Pope led the faithful in praying the Rosary at the shrine of Mamã Muxima, “Mother of the Heart,” the beloved name given to the Virgin Mary in the Kimbundu language.
According to Vatican News, the shrine holds deep spiritual significance for Angolans. Fr. Daniel Malamba, SVD, described Mamã Muxima as central to the faith of the people, noting that devotion to Our Lady is deeply woven into Angolan religious identity.
Many pilgrims expressed joy at praying alongside the Pope. One pilgrim, Conceição António, said Mary “listens to our prayers” and accompanies people “in all the problems that we have.”
After the Rosary, Pope Leo XIV delivered a brief but powerful message, emphasizing that Marian devotion must lead to action.
Praying the Rosary, he said, commits believers “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 also addressed young people directly, urging them to build a future free from war, injustice, poverty, and corruption.
“It is love that must triumph, not war,” he said.
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