In Angola, Pope Leo XIV Faces the Legacy of Colonialism
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV's visit to Angola highlights the Roman Catholic Church's ongoing challenge of limited African representation in Vatican leadership.
- Angola, with over 20 million Catholics, has no cardinals, reflecting a broader trend where only 14 of 121 cardinal electors are from Africa despite the continent's rapid church growth.
- Africa has the highest ratio of Catholics to bishops, with 365,000 Catholics per bishop, underscoring the need for greater ecclesiastical leadership on the continent.
- Catholicism in Angola dates back to the late 15th century when Portuguese settlers introduced the faith to the Kongo Kingdom, whose rulers quickly adopted and promoted the religion.
