On April 19, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited a Catholic shrine in Angola, a site historically associated with the trans-Atlantic slave trade. His visit drew approximately 100,000 attendees.
During the Mass, the Pope emphasized the profound sorrow and suffering experienced by generations of Africans, acknowledging the painful legacy of slavery.
This visit comes at a time when the Catholic Church is facing renewed scrutiny regarding its historical ties to slavery and its impact on African communities.