Pope: I'm in Africa to encourage Catholics, not to debate with Trump

Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

On the flight to Luanda, Angola, the third leg of his Apostolic Journey to Africa today, Pope Leo XIV greeted the journalists who have accompanied him and thanked Cameroon for its extraordinary welcome. He also clarified that his speeches were prepared weeks in advance. They should not be interpreted "as if I was trying to debate again with the president, which is not in my interest at all," he said.

Pope Leo gave a positive assessment of the three days in Cameroon, a country that "represents the heart of Africa in many different ways, both English-speaking and French-speaking, and around 250 local languages."

"There's been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip the President of the United States made some comments about me," Pope Leo said.

He was referring to comments US President Donald Trump had directed at him at the beginning of the week, to which he had already responded during the flight departing from Rome. But while the US president - and also Vice President JD Vance - continued in the following days with remarks criticising the Pope, for Pope Leo, the matter was already closed from the first day.

He told journalists on the plane: "Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said."

One example is the important speech delivered at the Prayer Meeting for Peace on April 16. That speech, the Pope explained, "was prepared two weeks ago, well before the person had ever commented on me and on the message of peace that I am promoting. And yet as it happens, it was viewed as if I was trying to debate again with the president, which is not in my interest at all."

As he did on the outbound journey, Pope Leo reiterated his mission: "I primarily come to Africa as pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church, to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all of the Catholics throughout Africa."

The visit also has other dimensions, and the Pope mentioned in this regard the "very fine meeting" he had with a group of Imams at the Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé. He emphasised the need to "continue to promote - as we've done in other places already and as Pope Francis has done during his pontificate - dialogue, promotion of fraternity, understanding, acceptance, peace-building with people of all faiths."

The Pope also expressed satisfaction with yesterday's meeting at the Catholic University of Central Africa, where he blessed a "beautiful monument" featuring a map of Africa with Saint Augustine at the centre. This sculpture, he explained, "expresses part of what this Church is about.

In his greeting, the Pope also addressed the pressing issue of the "unequal distribution of wealth" found across the African continent. Cameroon, in particular, he noted, is a country that is rich in opportunities.

Now in Angola, "We continue proclaiming the Gospel message", said the Pope, highlighting the beauty of being Christian, "of what it's about to follow Christ, of what it's about to promote fraternity, brotherhood, trusting in the Lord, but also looking for ways to promote justice in our world. Promote peace in our world."

Through the only Cameroonian journalist present on the papal flight, Charles Ebune of Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to all the people of Cameroon: "for the wonderful welcome, the great enthusiasm, the joy of the people. It was absolutely fantastic. The experience of the faith community people who really discovered in the shared enthusiasm…how wonderful it is to experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to celebrate our faith together". The Pope expressed how "very happy" he is "to have had this experience".

Finally, he expressed his gratitude again to the approximately 70 journalists on board the plane:

"I'm very happy to greet all of you, and thank you for the work that you're doing. I hope that the Lord will continue to bless all of us on this trip." The Pope concluded with a "See you in Angola!".

At 3pm local time Pope Leo arrived in Angola, landing in Luanda International Airport. He was welcomed by the President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, along with two children who offered him flowers.

Pope Leo will spend the next three days in Angola, before travelling to his fourth and final destination of the journey: Equatorial Guinea.