Angola welcomes Pope Leo

Crowds welcome Pope Leo - Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo arrived in Angola, landing in Luanda International Airport just before 3pm local time yesterday, after having spent four days in Cameroon.

At Luanda International Airport, the Pope was welcomed by the President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, along with two children who offered him flowers.

Lively crowds lined the streets to welcome the Holy Father as he made his way to the Presidential Palace for a private courtesy meeting with the President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourenço.

After their conversation, the Pope met with Angola's authorities, representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps at a nearby pavilion.

In his address, the Pope spoke of "the material riches upon which powerful interests lay their claim", in Angola and other African countries. "How much suffering, how many deaths, how many social and environmental disasters are brought about by this logic of extractivism!", he said. "At every level, we see how it sustains a model of development that discriminates and excludes, while still presuming to impose itself as the only viable option". The Pope therefore encouraged those gathered to "make Angola a project of hope", together.

After his meeting with the authorities, the Pope travelled to the Apostolic Nunciature in Luanda, where he held a private meeting with the Bishops of Angola.

Watch highlights from the Pope's arrival in Angola: www.youtube.com/watch?v=arrwSLZuUkI