For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Leisure Read)
Successor Of Peter Returns To Africa As A Missionary Of Peace
Our Editorial Director reflects on Pontiff Leo XIV’s first words after he lands on Algerian soil, which is an appeal for mutual forgiveness as the key to building the future. By Andrea Tornielli
The Successor of Peter has returned to Africa. Three years after the visit made at the beginning of 2023 by Pontiff Francis to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, Pontiff Leo XIV has begun a long pilgrimage across the African continent, bringing him on Monday to Algeria and in the coming days to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
It is an 11-day journey with a distinctly missionary character, marked by an intense schedule of encounters with the peoples of a continent that is undermined by problems and contradictions, yet is also a reservoir of joy and hope.
It is impossible to forget the “dramatic hour of history” in which this visit takes place, amid growing concern over what is happening in the Middle East and the threat of a further escalation of conflict following the failure of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
It was therefore significant that peace emerged as the central theme in Pontiff Leo XIV’s first address in Algeria, during his visit to the Martyrs’ Memorial (Maqam Echahid):
“In this place, let us remember that God desires peace for every nation: a peace that is not merely an absence of conflict, but one that is an expression of justice and dignity. This peace, which allows us to face the future with a reconciled spirit, is possible only through forgiveness. The true struggle for liberation will be definitively won only when peace in our hearts has finally been achieved.”
The appeal to forgiveness and to peace of heart is imbued with a profound realism. It not only belongs to the very essence of the Christian message, but also represents the only viable path for building the future.
“I know how difficult it is to forgive,” the Pontiff said. “However, as conflicts continue to multiply throughout the world, we cannot add resentment upon resentment, generation after generation.”
How can one fail to reflect on the resentment being generated among younger generations by the massacres of civilians in Gaza and now in Lebanon? And how can the same question not be asked with regard to the war in Ukraine and the many other regions scarred by hatred and violence?
Even if many leaders believe that the path forward in the face of such scenarios lies in rearmament—feeding the profits of the merchants of death—Pontiff Leo, speaking from Algiers, reminds us that: “The future belongs to men and women of peace,” and that “justice will always triumph over injustice, just as violence, despite all appearances, will never have the last word.”
The voice of peace of the Successor of Peter, the Vicar of the defenseless Son of God who chose the nonviolent path of self-sacrifice on the Cross, resonates even more powerfully when it rises from this land, where the Church is an absolute minority and where the witness of the very few Christians is all the more essential—grounded in service and in sharing the joys and sufferings of all.
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Pontiff Visits Grand Mosque Of Algiers And Calls For Mutual Respect And Peacebuilding
Pontiff Leo XIV visits the Grand Mosque of Algiers, highlighting its role as a sacred space for prayer, dialogue, and the search for God. by Vatican News
Pontiff Leo XIV marked the beginning of his apostolic journey to Africa with a visit to the Grand Mosque of Algiers, where he highlighted the site’s spiritual significance and paused in silent meditation.
Welcomed by the Rector of the Mosque, Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim who offered words of fraternity, the Pontiff said “I thank you for these reflections and for these important words during this visit, from a place that represents the space that belongs to God, a divine and sacred space, where many people come to pray and to seek the presence of the Most High in their lives.”
He went on to recall his personal link to the country through Augustine of Hippo, describing Algeria as “the land of my spiritual father,” and highlighted themes central to his address: the search for truth, the recognition of the dignity of every human being, and the shared responsibility to build peace. “To seek God,” he said, “also means recognising the image of God in every man and woman,” and he said that such recognition calls for mutual respect and coexistence.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Visits Augustinian Sisters, Recalls Enduring Witness Of Martyrdom
In a private visit to a community run by Missionary Augustinian Sisters in Algiers, Pontiff Leo XIV highlights the enduring witness of martyrdom and encourages a renewed commitment to peace, dignity, and respect for differences by Vatican News
Following his visit to the Mosque of Algiers on Monday afternoon, Pontiff Leo XIV paid a private visit to the Centre for Welcome and Friendship of the Missionary Augustinian Sisters to render homage to the memory of religious sisters who were killed during the Algerian civil war and to thank the Sisters for their charitable work.
The Pontiff was welcomed by the community that is located in the district of Bab El Oued, some 16 kilometres from the city of Algiers.
During his visit, he paused in prayer with the sisters and met those who continue to carry forward their mission of hospitality, education, and friendship in a context marked by memory and reconciliation.
Pontiff Leo’s visit was especially dedicated to the remembrance of two religious sisters of the community who were among the 19 martyrs of Algeria killed between 1994 and 1996 during the civil war.
Sr. Esther Paniagua Alonso and Sr. Caridad Álvarez Martín were assassinated on 23 October 1994 during the “Black Decade," as the Algerian Civil War is known, as they were on their way to Mass.
Witness To The Point Of Martyrdom
According to a statement by the Holy See Press Office, the Pontiff reflected on their testimony within the wider witness of the Algerian martyrs, explaining that their lives express a dimension deeply inscribed in Augustinian spirituality: that of witness, even to the point of martyrdom.
“Your presence here means a great deal,” he said, recalling a previous visit, and he spoke of the gift that St. Augustine represents in this part of the world, which promotes "respect for the dignity of each person," noting that "it is possible to live in peace, valuing differences.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff To Algerian Community: Prayer, Charity, Unity Are Essential To Christian Presence
Pontiff Leo XIV encourages the Christian community in Algeria to remain rooted in “prayer, charity and unity,” praising their quiet witness and urging them to be a sign of peace and fraternity by Vatican News
Pontiff Leo XIV met with members of the community in Algeria on Monday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, the last event of his first day in the country.
Greeting those gathered, the Pontiff expressed "profound joy and fatherly affection" at being with a community whose presence he described as "discreet and precious," marked by "an ancient heritage and by luminous witnesses of the faith."
He recalled in particular the nineteen religious men and women killed in Algeria in the 1990s, noting that they chose "to stand alongside this people in its joys and sorrows."
Their witness, he said, remains alive today and "their blood is a living seed that never ceases to bear fruit."
The Holy Father pointed to the deeper historical roots of Christianity in the region, recalling that in this land "resounded the fervent voice of Augustine of Hippo," together with the example of St. Monica and other saints.
'We All Need To Pray'
Reflecting on the life of the Church in Algeria, Pontiff Leo XIV focused first on prayer, describing it as essential. "We all need to pray," he said, recalling the words of Pontiff St. John Paul II that "man cannot live without prayer, any more than he can live without breathing."
He referred to the experience shared by a member of the local community, noting that many come to the Basilica seeking silence, to "express their concerns, to pray for their loved ones," and to find someone willing to listen.
"Prayer unites, humanises, strengthens, and purifies the heart," the Pontiff said, adding that through prayer "the Church in Algeria sows humanity, unity, strength and purity, reaching places known only to the Lord."
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Convokes Consistory To Reflect On Church's Mission To Communicate God's Love
In a letter to the Cardinals ahead of a late-June Consistory, Pontiff Leo XIV calls for a deeper reflection on the themes of “Evangelii gaudium," particularly the reform of the processes of Christian initiation, warning against the temptation of proselytism or a logic of “mere preservation or institutional expansion.” by Vatican News
The mission of the Church “is not its own survival, but the communication of the love with which God loves the world.” This was the message at the heart of Pontiff Leo XIV's letter to the Cardinals for the Extraordinary Consistory, released on Tuesday.
The Consistory will take place in the Vatican on June 26 and 27, shortly before the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and will conclude with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pontiff Leo XIV. The Pontiff had announced the assembly at the end of the Consistory held on January 7–8.
In the letter, the Pontiff expresses gratitude for the work carried out during the January Consistory, describing the contributions gathered as “a resource of lasting value” to be further developed through ecclesial discernment.
“Evangelii gaudium” as a guiding reference
Pontiff Leo points to Pontiff Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii gaudium, as a continuing point of reference for the Church’s life and mission.
He notes that it “refocuses everything on the kerygma as the heart of Christian and ecclesial identity” and describes it as “a ‘breath of fresh air,' capable of initiating processes of pastoral and missionary conversion.”
Renewal At Every Level
The Pontiff outlines how this perspective calls the Church to renewal on multiple levels.
On a personal level, he writes that it calls every baptized person “to renew their encounter with Christ, moving from a faith merely received to a faith truly experienced and lived.”
At the community level, it calls for “a shift from a pastoral approach focused on maintenance to a missionary pastoral approach,” in which communities become “living agents of the proclamation,” marked by attention to relationships and openness to accompaniment and healing.
At the diocesan level, the responsibility of pastors is highlighted, ensuring that missionary dynamism is not “weighed down or stifled by organizational impediments" while fostering discernment focused on what is essential.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Leo Visits Hippo Archeological Site In Annaba, Algeria
Returning to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St. Augustine, Pontiff Leo XIV visits the archaeological site of Hippo in Annaba on his second day in Algeria. By Isabella H. de Carvalho
Retracing the footsteps of St. Augustine, Pontiff Leo XIV visited the archaeological site of Hippo in the modern-day city of Annaba on Tuesday, April 14, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria.
Ancient Hippo, or Hippo Regius, today Annaba, was an important coastal city and economic center of the Roman Empire. St. Augustine served as its Bishop from 396 until his death in 430 at the age of 75, as the city was under siege by the Vandals.
Today, several remains of the Roman city are preserved, such as a paved forum, a theatre, a market, baths, cisterns, and figurative mosaics. Similarly, Christian elements from that time have also been maintained, including the so-called Basilica Pacis—where St. Augustine carried out his ministry—and a baptistery.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff In Algeria: ‘God’s Heart Is Torn Apart By Wars, Violence, Injustice, Lies’
Pontiff Leo XIV visits a care home for the elderly in Annaba, Algeria, and recalls that God’s heart remains with those who are humble and seek peace in their daily lives. By Devin Watkins
On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Pontiff Leo XIV flew to Annaba—the site of the ancient city of Hippo, where St. Augustine served as Bishop.
After visiting the archeaological site, the Pontiff spent a few minutes with several elderly people residing at the Ma Maison Care Home for the Elderly, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.
In his brief address, he told residents that “God dwells here,” noting that “wherever there is love and service, God is there.”
Pontiff Leo especially thanked Salah Bouchemel for his words of greeting, in which the elderly Algerian Muslim resident of the facility upheld the respect for one another and their religion he has enjoyed at the care home.
In response, the Pontiff said God would surely recognize the hope that lives in a place where people strive to live together in fraternity.
“God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, and lies,” he said. “But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud.”
Rather, said Pontiff Leo, God dwells with those who build up His Kingdom in service.
“God’s heart is with the little ones and the humble,” he said, “and with them He builds up His Kingdom of love and peace day by day, just as you are striving to do here in your daily service, friendship, and life together.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff At St. Augustine’s Basilica: 'Christ Invites Us To Renew Our Lives Completely'
Pontiff Leo XIV, the first Augustinian Pope, celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, and reminds the faithful that, like the great saint and Doctor of the Church, it is never too late to welcome the Lord's invitation to lift us up from our hardships and trials, and, with His strength, renew and transform our lives. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Dearest Christians of Algeria, you remain a humble and faithful sign of Christ’s love in this land. Bear witness to the Gospel through simple gestures, genuine relationships and a dialogue lived out day by day: in this way, you bring flavor and light to the places where you live.”
Pontiff Leo XIV offered this reminder during the Mass he celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, during his stay in Algeria, the first stop of his four-nation Apostolic Journey across Africa.
READ PONTIFF LEO XIV'S FULL HOMILY
The Pontiff recalled that “here the martyrs prayed” and “here Saint Augustine loved his flock,” fervently seeking the truth and serving Christ with ardent faith. He urged the faithful to become heirs to this tradition, bearing witness through fraternal charity and living in the freedom of those “born from above,” as a sign of hope for the world.
He began by noting that, although the names of the places that welcome us have changed over the centuries, the saints remain our patrons and faithful witnesses, preserving a connection to the land that comes from heaven.
Recalling how Christ has called saints throughout history to new life, “to be born from above,” the Pontiff emphasized that this same invitation is extended to every man and woman who seeks salvation. This call, he said, gives rise to the mission of the whole Church, including the Christian community in Algeria.
The Pontiff explained that from this perspective, faith overcomes earthly hardships and "the Lord’s grace makes the desert blossom."
Christ Invites Us To Renew Our Lives
The Pontiff acknowledged that Christ’s words, “you must be born again from above,” carry the force of a command that can seem impossible.
Yet, when we listen attentively, Pontiff Leo explained, we come to understand that this is neither a harsh imposition nor a constraint, "and much less a condemnation to failure," but rather Jesus' instruction is “a gift of freedom,” because it reveals that we can be born anew from above thanks to God.
We are called to embrace this according to God’s loving will, which seeks to renew humanity by drawing us into a communion of life that begins with faith.
While Christ invites us to renew our lives completely, Pontiff Leo reminded, He also gives us the strength to do so.
Like those before us, the Pontiff acknowledged that we ask the Lord if our story can truly change, especially as we are so weighed down by problems, hardships and tribulations.
The answer is yes, Pontiff Leo marveled, reminding that the Lord, with His great love, makes this possible.
Jesus Carries Our Burdens With Us And For Us
No matter how heavy our pain or sin, the Pontiff said, the Lord carries these burdens with us and for us.
"No matter how discouraged we are by our own weaknesses," the Holy Father insisted, "it is precisely then that God manifests His strength."
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Cameroon: Separatists Announce Pause Of Hostilities For Pope's Visit
A statement from Unity Alliance, which brings Anglophone Cameroonian separatist groups together, announces a period of halted fighting ahead of Pontiff Leo XIV’s visit to the conflict-torn region. Vatican News
Separatist factions operating in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone regions on Tuesday announced a temporary cessation of hostilities, in anticipation of the upcoming visit by Pontiff Leo XIV.
Pontiff Leo is scheduled to arrive in the capital, Yaoundé, on Wednesday, 15 April, for the second leg of his four-nation pilgrimage to the African Continent. He will be travelling to Bamenda, the main city in the western Anglophone region, on Thursday, where he will preside at a Meeting for Peace.
The announcement by the "Unity Alliance" marks a rare moment of de-escalation in a conflict that has ravaged the country’s Northwest and Southwest regions for nearly a decade.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Cameroonians Hope Pope’s Visit Will 'Bring Healing' To A Divided Country
Ahead of Pontiff Leo XIV's arrival, Cameroonians tell Vatican News that his Apostolic Journey to the African nation could inspire diverse groups to “live together, work together, and get along." By Joseph Tulloch – Yaoundé
At the Ngul Zamba orphanage in central Yaoundé, dozens of children are busy cleaning. Above their heads, a banner bears a photo of a waving Pontiff Leo. He will visit the orphanage on Wednesday, 15 April, just a few hours after his arrival in Cameroon.
“Many of the children here come from difficult backgrounds," explains Sr. Christabel, who lives in the orphanage and serves as head teacher of the attached school. The Pope’s visit, she says, will be a moment of “great joy”—"the children will feel loved ... and feel carried by the authorities of the Church.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Pontiff to Cameroonian Authorities: Peace ‘must be embraced and lived'
During his first official event in Cameroon, Pontiff Leo XIV calls for peace, justice, and a renewed commitment to the common good, highlighting that peace “must not be reduced to a slogan.” By Linda Bordoni
Addressing authorities, representatives of civil society and members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, shortly after his arrival in Cameroon on Wednesday, Pontiff Leo XIV delivered an appeal for peace, justice and renewed commitment to the common good, urging Cameroonians to draw on their rich diversity as a source of unity and strength.
Speaking at the start of his Apostolic Journey to the Central African nation, the Pontiff expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received, describing Cameroon as “Africa in miniature” for its cultural and natural richness.
“This variety is not weakness but a treasure,” he said, noting that it represents “a promise of fraternity and a solid foundation for building lasting peace.”
Read the full article HERE:
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
US Bishop’s Chairman On Doctrine Clarifies Just War Theory
Bishop James Massa issues a statement in response to public comments regarding the Church’s teaching on war and peace. by Vatican News
Given the recent public comments regarding the Catholic Church's teaching on war and peace, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) posted a statement on their website on April 15, 2026, of Bishop James Massa, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, who stated the following:
“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308). That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’
“When Pontiff Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”
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Pontiff in Bamenda: ‘Woe to those who manipulate religion for military or political gain’
Speaking at a meeting dedicated to peace in Bamenda, Cameroon, Pontiff Leo XIV warns against the "masters of war" who pretend not to acknowledge that "it only takes a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild" and who spend billions on weapons but dedicate nothing to helping people heal. By Kielce Gussie
In the midst of a pause in the ongoing violence in Cameroon, Pontiff Leo XIV travelled to Bamenda - an English-speaking city located in the northwestern part of the country - on his second day in Cameroon.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Leo XIV Meets Several Muslim Leaders In Cameroon
Upon returning to Yaoundé, Pontiff Leo XIV meets with several representatives of Cameroon’s Islamic communities, encouraging people of all faiths to work toward peace based on mutual respect. Vatican News
Pontiff Leo XIV met on Thursday evening with a group of 12 representatives of several Cameroonian Islamic communities, some of whom he had received in Rome in December 2025.
According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, the encounter took place at the Apostolic Nunciature in Yaoundé, after the Pontiff returned by plane from Bamenda, where he spent the day.
The communities represented by the Muslim leaders are carrying out several projects to promote social justice and cooperation to support the poorest members of Cameroon’s population, in collaboration with the local Catholic Church.
Mr. Bruni said the Pontiff greeted each person individually and listened to the words of welcome and thanks addressed to him by those present.
The Muslim leaders expressed appreciation for the work carried out together with the Church, for the Pope’s visit, and for his words on dialogue and peace delivered on Thursday in Bamenda.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Leo XIV: Safeguarding minors is 'a challenge to the conscience of the Church'
Pontiff Leo XIV sends a message to a meeting of the Italian Bishops' Conference on safeguarding minors, and pledges the Church's commitment to better protect minors and vulnerable adults. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"The presence of the smallest and most vulnerable challenges the conscience of the Church and measures its ability to express authentic care."
Pontiff Leo XIV expressed this in a message to participants in the Second National Meeting of Local Representatives for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, organized by the Italian Bishops' Conference.
Recognizing And Safeguarding Every Person And Their Dignity
In his letter, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pontiff noted that the theme, “Generating Authentic Relationships,” points to an essential task for Christian communities.
"When every person is recognized in their dignity and safeguarded in their freedom, parishes, associations, and movements are reliable and capable of accompanying, educating, and protecting," he said, adding that "where respect is lacking, relationships become impoverished, distorted, and may cause serious harm."
In the Christian vision, he noted, respect is not merely correctness, but "a demanding form of charity, expressed in safeguarding others without possessing them, accompanying them without dominating them, and serving them without humiliating them."
He said this respect gives rise to the possibility of clear, mature, and secure relationships.
"For this reason," he insisted, "protection cannot be understood merely as a set of rules to apply or procedures to follow: it requires wisdom that shapes the style of communities, the exercise of authority, the formation of educators, vigilance over contexts, and transparency of behavior."
Challenge To The Conscience Of The Church
"The presence of the smallest and most vulnerable," Pontiff Leo insisted, "challenges the conscience of the Church and measures its ability to express authentic care—that is, to protect, to listen, to prevent, and to leave no one alone."
"The work of those who promote formation, discernment, coordination, and good practices," the Pontiff added, "represents a precious contribution to the growth of more welcoming and aware communities."
Thus, he called for the Church to give special attention to those who have suffered abuse, acknowledging that "their wounds call for sincere proximity, humble listening, and perseverance in seeking what is right and possible for repair."
Need To Accept Demanding Paths Of Truth, Justice And Healing
He explained that a Christian community lives the evangelical conversion "when it does not shield itself from the pain of those who have suffered, but allows itself to be questioned by it; when it does not minimize evil, but acknowledges it; when it does not close in fear of scandal, but accepts the demanding paths of truth, justice, and healing."
Therefore, he noted, the meeting organized by the Italian Bishops' Conference "takes on a significance that goes beyond operational matters, calling the Church to grow in a culture of prevention that is, above all, a culture of evangelical care. This will also be supported by the performance presented in preview at your conference: “And I Will Care for You.”
Finally, Pontiff Leo XIV encouraged the meeting's participants to continue their work with confidence, "so that communities in the Italian dioceses may grow in which the most fragile are welcomed, protected, and loved."
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Pontiff at Mass in Douala: African Youth Must Reject Violence And Corruption
Pontiff Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Douala on his third day in Cameroon, and urges young people to reject every form of abuse or violence and to always show hospitality and care for one another. By Devin Watkins
After flying to the southwestern Cameroonian city of Douala on Friday morning, Pontiff Leo XIV presided at Mass at the Japoma Stadium, joined by around 120,000 faithful.
In his homily, the Pontiff reflected on Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for a great crowd.
Just as in Jesus’ time, he said, people hunger for bread and wonder: “Where is God in the face of people’s hunger?”
Pontiff Leo said Jesus offered his response to this question by sharing what he and those around him had with all.
“A serious problem was solved by blessing the little food that was present and sharing it with all who were hungry,” he said. “The multiplication of the loaves and the fish happened while sharing: that is the miracle!”
As long as bread is not stolen in strife, hoarded through rationing, or wasted by those who gorged themselves, there is food for everyone, said the Pope.
Besides our material necessity, we also hunger for the bread of life in peace, freedom, and justice, and our every act of solidarity and forgiveness becomes “a morsel of bread for humanity in need of care,” he added.
“Yet this alone is not enough,” said Pontiff Leo. “The food that sustains the body must be accompanied, with equal charity, by nourishment for the soul—a nourishment that sustains our conscience and steadies us in dark hours of fear and amid the shadows of suffering.”
Christ gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, sustaining the Church and strengthening us on our journey, he said.
The Pontiff encouraged Catholics to receive the Eucharist as a sign of God’s love, as the Father invites us in Christ to share what we have so that it may be multiplied in the Church’s care.
Pontiff Leo went on to recall that God knows all of our situations in life and all of our joys and sorrows, and he encouraged African young people to “multiply your talents through faith, perseverance, and friendship”.
“Be the first faces and hands that bring the bread of life to your neighbors, providing them with the food of wisdom and deliverance from all that does not nourish them, but rather obscures good desires and robs them of their dignity,” he urged.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff To Academic Community: Form Leaders Dedicated To Serving The Common Good
Speaking with members of the Catholic University of Central Africa, the Pontiff highlights the university’s role in forming future leaders and professionals who will have the responsibility to work for the common good in their own society and around the world. By Kielce Gussie
Meeting with members of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Pontiff Leo expressed his gratitude to the academic authorities for their warm welcome and constant dedication to the service of education. The institution, founded in 1989 by the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC), can be a “a beacon for the Church and for Africa in its search for truth, as well as its promotion of justice and solidarity.”
Today, more than ever, the Pontiff stressed, it is important that universities—and Catholic institutions of higher learning—"become true communities of life and research, introducing students and professors alike to a fraternity in knowledge.”
The proclamation of the Gospel and the Church’s doctrine is meant to encourage a culture of encounter, in cooperation with “the positive forces that contribute to the growth of universal human consciousness.”
Truth At The Heart Of The University
Universities has an important and central role in today’s world. In a time where many seem to be losing their spiritual and ethical references points, “finding themselves imprisoned in individualism, superficiality and hypocrisy, the university stands out as a privileged place of friendship, cooperation and, at the same time, of interiority and reflection.”
Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Truth has been the goal at the heart of universities. This continues today, the Pontiff noted as professors and students are called to adopt Truth as their goal and way of life.
More Than Wealth Or Resources
Africa, the Holy Father highlighted, “can make a fundamental contribution to broadening the overly narrow horizons of a humanity that struggles to hope.”
Moreover, today, there is an urgent need to reflect on faith “within the framework of contemporary cultural contexts and present challenges.” In this way, the beauty and credibility of faith can be found in different settings, but particularly in contexts scarred by injustice, inequality, violence, and spiritual and material degradation.
A nation’s wealth is not to be judged simply by the number of natural resources or material wealth. “No society, in fact, can flourish unless it is grounded in upright consciences, formed in the truth,” Pontiff Leo stressed. In this way, the motto of the Catholic University of Central Africa—“in the service of truth and justice”—is a reminder that the human conscience is the ground where the just and stable foundations of each and every society must be established.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... *********
Pontiff to Angolan Authorities: Don't Suppress Youth's Visions Or The Elderly's Dreams
Pontiff Leo addresses Angola’s authorities, civil society and members of the diplomatic corps and encourages them to use their positions to promote peace and stability. Vatican News
The first public event of his visit to Angola saw Pontiff Leo XIV meet with the country’s authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Saturday afternoon.
Addressing President João Lourenço and those gathered, the Pontiff began by expressing his gratitude for the invitation and emphasised, "I come to you to meet your people, as a pilgrim seeking the signs of God’s passage in this land loved by Him".
He took time to acknowledge the recent flooding in Benguela province, assuring his "prayer for the victims" and expressing "closeness to the families who have lost their homes". He also noted the national response, observing that Angolans are "united in a great chain of solidarity in support of those affected".
The Resilience Of Angolans
In his address, Pontiff Leo highlighted what he described as the country’s most important resources, not material but human, stating that "your people possess treasures that cannot be sold or stolen". Among these, he emphasised a resilience rooted in experience. "There is within them a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish", he said.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ****
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Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, April 19th 2026 at 4:17PM
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