‘Africa Must Not Be Plundered’ — Pope Leo XIV In Angola

Pope Leo XIV has called on Angola’s leaders to break free from a long history of resource exploitation, warning that “extractivism” has brought suffering, death, and environmental damage to Africa.

Speaking during his visit to Angola, the pontiff urged authorities to prioritise people over profit, as he met with President João Lourenço.

The visit marks the third stop on his African tour. En route, Leo—history’s first US-born pope—also addressed his exchanges with Donald Trump, saying he is focused on promoting peace, justice, and unity rather than engaging in political disputes.

Referencing Angola’s colonial past and brutal civil war, the pope praised the resilience of its people while stressing that the nation’s vast natural wealth should benefit its citizens, not external interests.

Despite being a major oil and diamond producer, a significant portion of Angola’s population still lives in poverty, highlighting the gap between resource wealth and everyday reality.