Pope Leo criticized the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources during his speech in Angola, where he condemned “despots and tyrants” who promote wealth but fail to fulfill promises, resulting in human suffering and death. While addressing the audience in Luanda, the pope encouraged Angolans to strive for a society free of “slavery imposed by the elite,” referring to the wealthy and their false joys. On his Africa tour, Leo’s more assertive approach responds to critiques from U. S. President Donald Trump, although he clarified that his comments about “tyrants” were not aimed at Trump and that he prefers not to engage in a debate with him.
The pope pointed out that powerful interests exploit Angola’s resources, notably its oil and diamonds, warning of the suffering and disasters caused by this extractivism. Despite Angola’s wealth as a leading oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, over 30% of its population of 36.6 million lives in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank. Leo urged Angolans to break free from the cycle of commodification and directed political leaders to prioritize the welfare of all citizens over corporate interests, claiming, “History will then vindicate you.”
Earlier, Leo held a farewell Mass in Cameroon, where he told around 200,000 attendees not to lose hope amid turmoil. He emphasized that Jesus is with them in tough times, urging them not to fear. The crowds in his Cameroon visit were enthusiastic, with 120,000 attending a Mass in Douala, demonstrating strong support for the pope.
With information from Reuters
