Pope Leo XIV heads to Catholic shrine in Angola that was a center of African slave trade
Summary
Pope Leo XIV visited Angola as part of an 11-day trip to Africa. He celebrated Mass near the capital and called on Angolans to fight corruption and build justice. He also visited a historic Catholic shrine tied to the African slave trade.Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV held a Mass for about 100,000 people near Luanda, Angola.
- He urged Angolans to overcome divisions, end violence, and stop corruption.
- The pope visited the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima, a Catholic shrine important in the African slave trade.
- The Church of Our Lady of Muxima was built by Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century.
- This church was a place where enslaved Africans were baptized before being sent to the Americas.
- The shrine now symbolizes the Catholic Church’s connection to the slave trade and forced baptisms.
- Pope Leo XIV’s own ancestors include both enslaved people and slave owners.
- The visit is seen as a moment of healing for Black Catholics, many of whom trace their faith to the history of slavery.
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