The Pope heads to Angola, the latest stop on his African tour.

Written by Mohamed Ragab

Pope Leo continues VaticanHis four-country African tour includes a stop in Angola, where he is expected to focus on issues of natural resource exploitation and economic inequality, amid his escalating rhetoric on global crises.

Launching from Cameroon after strong messages

And he left Pope Cameroon Following a visit marked by sharp remarks, in which he criticized what he described as the control of the world by a “handful of tyrants”.

During a farewell mass in the capital Yaoundé, he called on the crowds to hold on to hope despite the security challenges, especially the ongoing conflict in the English-speaking regions.

The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Luanda, where he will meet with President Joao Lourenço, before delivering a speech to political leaders, addressing issues of development and social justice.

Angola: Between oil wealth and poverty

Angola is one of the largest oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa, with oil accounting for about 95% of its exports.

Despite this wealth, more than 301,000 people still live below the poverty line, according to World Bank data, highlighting the economic and social challenges facing the country.

The Pope's tone has become more assertive regarding global issues.

Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago, has recently begun to take more outspoken positions, criticizing wars and inequality globally, including his criticism of the Iran war, which has drawn reactions from US President Donald Trump.

The Pope’s visit to Cameroon was met with a massive public turnout, with some 200,000 people attending the mass in Yaoundé, in addition to tens of thousands who lined the streets to welcome him, reflecting the great influence of the Catholic Church on the continent, especially since more than half of Angola’s population is Catholic.

In conclusion, Pope Leo’s tour of Africa reflects a shift in his rhetoric towards greater sharpness and clarity in addressing international issues, with a particular focus on social justice and resource exploitation, at a time when the continent is facing complex economic and security challenges.