Pope Leo XIV lands in Angola, says it is 'not in my interest at all' to debate Trump

Key Points:

• Pope Leo XIV arrived in Luanda, Angola, becoming the third pope to visit the country, following John Paul II in 1992 and Benedict XVI in 2009, and is set to meet with President João Lourenço and address issues including peace, corruption, and exploitation.
• During his flight, the Pope clarified that his comments on the US-Israeli war in Iran were not directed specifically at President Donald Trump but reflected a broader Gospel message of peace, distancing himself from political debate.
• The Pope will visit the historic Marian shrine in Muxima, a site linked to the transatlantic slave trade and now undergoing development into a major pilgrimage and tourist destination, highlighting Angola’s complex history.
• Angola, rich in natural resources like oil, diamonds, gold, and rare earths, still faces significant poverty, with over 30% of its 38 million population living below the poverty line despite its wealth, a challenge the Pope is expected to address.
• Pope Leo XIV’s four-day African tour, which includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, focuses on offering hope and healing to young people and promoting peace in a region recovering from conflict.