Pope Leo, a pontiff with a surprisingly quiet start to his papacy, has truly found his voice, particularly during his current whirlwind tour of Africa. Just recently, in the oil-rich nation of Angola, he delivered a speech that was less a sermon and more a passionate outcry against the rampant exploitation of natural resources and the deep-seated corruption that plagues the continent. His words, sharp and uncompromising, targeted “despots and tyrants” – a label he uses to describe those who promise prosperity but deliver only suffering, death, and social and environmental devastation.
This powerful address in Angola, the third leg of his demanding four-country African journey, painted a stark picture of a society trapped in what he called “slavery imposed by the elite.” These elites, he argued, are laden with wealth, yet their joy is false, built on the backs of their own people. Pope Leo’s newfound outspokenness comes amidst a noticeable tension with U.S. President Donald Trump, though the Pope himself has tried to downplay any personal feud. He insists his critiques of “tyrants” weren’t aimed at Trump, and that it’s not in his nature to engage in a public debate with political leaders. Yet, the timing and the fervor of his statements speak volumes.
Landing in Luanda, Angola’s capital, Pope Leo didn’t mince words when describing how “powerful interests lay their claim” on the nation’s natural riches. He’s talking about the foreign companies, the Angolan elite, and anyone else who profits immensely from the country’s vast oil and diamond reserves, and its emerging critical minerals sector. He lamented how these outsiders, and even insiders, have historically, and continue to, view Africa’s lands simply as something “to take.” This relentless “logic of extractivism,” as he termed it, has caused unimaginable pain, countless deaths, and a multitude of environmental disasters that scar both the land and its people. For him, this isn’t just about economics; it’s a moral failure on a grand scale.
It’s clear that this tour has been a transformative experience for Pope Leo, a Chicago native who, for the first ten months of his papacy, kept a relatively low profile. Now, he’s a vocal champion for justice, tirelessly speaking out against war and extreme inequality. This extensive 10-day African tour, an extraordinary feat of logistical planning encompassing 11 cities and towns across four countries and nearly 18,000 kilometers of travel, has undoubtedly fueled his passion. Despite Angola being one of sub-Saharan Africa’s leading oil producers, its 36.6 million citizens face crushing poverty, with over 30% surviving on less than $2.15 a day. It’s a cruel irony, especially in a country where more than half the population identifies as Catholic, making the Pope’s words all the more impactful to his audience. He implored Angolans to “break this cycle of interests, which reduces reality, and even life itself, to mere commodities.” His message to political leaders was equally direct: focus on your people, not just corporate gains. “History will then vindicate you,” he promised, “even if in the near term some may oppose you.”
Before arriving in Angola, Pope Leo held a powerful farewell Mass in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde. There, before an estimated 200,000 people – the largest gathering of his tour so far – he offered words of hope and unwavering faith. Cameroon, like many of its neighbors, is grappling with significant challenges, including a simmering conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. The Pope’s message was one of resilience: “In moments when we seem to be sinking, overcome by adverse forces, when everything appears bleak… Jesus is with us always, stronger than any power of evil.” He reassured the massive crowd, drawing parallels to biblical stories of storms, that “In every storm, he comes to us and repeats: ‘I am here with you: do not be afraid.'” The enthusiasm for the Pope during his visit to Cameroon was palpable. The streets of Douala were lined with an estimated 120,000 people during his Mass there, many clad in vibrant fabrics adorned with images of his face, a testament to the profound impact his presence and his powerful message are having on the African continent.