The visit of the Pope to Angola, scheduled for April 18-21, 2026, is generating enormous interest throughout society as Pope Leo XIV prepares for his apostolic trip. Including stops in Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, and Cameroon, this journey is seen as a great grace, occurring less than a year after the start of his papacy.
Hope and reconciliation during the visit of the Pope to Angola
Bishop Estanislau Chindecasse of Dundo, vice-president of the Bishops’ Conference, highlighted the significance of the Pope visiting Saurimo in the east, an important diamond mining region. For the local Church, this is a joyful time to strengthen communion internally and with society at large.
“The Pope is coming to Angola as a pilgrim of hope, reconciliation and peace. (…) Therefore, we are going to prepare for this visit through catechesis, prayer and meetings, so that we may truly deepen our understanding and not squander this great opportunity”.
Spiritual preparation for the «Messenger of Peace»
Angola was the first sub-Saharan nation to receive the Gospel, yet the country remains plagued by division and extreme poverty following its prolonged civil war. In anticipation of the visit of the Pope to Angola, local bishops have called for personal conversion to heal internal wounds.
“We cannot host the ‘Messenger of Peace’ with our hearts full of hate, resentment, division and strife. Reconciliation must begin in each heart, in each family and in each civic, sporting, professional or party-political organisation”.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has supported the Angolan Church for decades. The foundation funds the renovation of essential structures, the formation of priests and laypeople, and provides motorbikes and cars that are vital for pastoral work in a country where roads are in very poor condition.
