Pope Leo XIV Denounces Authoritarian Exploitation During African Tour

Pope Leo XIV has issued forceful denunciations of exploitation by authoritarian leaders during his visit to Angola. The pontiff, who leads the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church, made these criticisms without naming specific individuals. His remarks come as part of an ambitious 10-day Africa tour spanning four countries and 11 cities and towns. The journey covers nearly 18,000 kilometers across 18 flights, representing one of the most complex papal trips ever undertaken. During the tour's third leg in Angola, Pope Leo celebrated Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade. The US-born pope has maintained a relatively low profile since becoming head of the Catholic Church in May, but has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump. His Africa tour has featured repeated condemnations of war and inequality alongside his critiques of world leaders.