By Isabella H. de Carvalho
“I thank the Lord for granting me the opportunity” to undertake an Apostolic Journey across four African countries and “to experience it as a message of peace at a time in history marked by wars and serious and frequent violations of international law,” Pope Leo XIV said during the Wednesday General Audience in St Peter’s Square on Apr 29.
Pope Leo visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea from Apr 13 – 23, where he followed in the footsteps of St Augustine, appealed for peace in tension-filled areas, was welcomed by people singing, dancing, and cheering, and more.
“I cannot forget what happened in the prison in Bata, in Equatorial Guinea,” the Pope said in his catechesis, regarding one of the moments of his journey.
The Pope underlined how he undertook this visit as a “Shepherd, to meet and encourage the people of God.”
For the people of Africa, the Pope said his visit was “a chance to make their voices heard, to express the joy of being God’s people and the hope for a better future, of dignity for each and every one.”
“I am happy to have given them this opportunity, and at the same time I thank the Lord for what they have given me, an inestimable treasure for my heart and my ministry,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the civil authorities and religious and Church representatives who welcomed him.
Algeria: Crossing and strengthening bridges
Pope Leo XIV’s first stop was in Algeria, where he followed in the footsteps of his spiritual father, St Augustine, and also met with the minority Catholic community and representatives of other religions.
“I found myself, on the one hand, revisiting the roots of my spiritual identity and, on the other, crossing and strengthening bridges that are very important for the world and the Church today: the bridge with the very fruitful age of the Church Fathers; the bridge with the Islamic world; and the bridge with the African continent,” the Pope explained.
He pointed out that his time in the country showed “the world that it is possible to live together as brothers and sisters, even of different religions, when we recognize ourselves as children of the same merciful Father.”
He also underscored that St Augustine today is an important role model for Christians and not only, as “he is a master in the search for God and for truth.”
Populations thirsting for justice
The Pope then travelled to the predominantly Christian countries of Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, where he said he was warmly welcomed in a festive atmosphere.
He also emphasized how in these nations he saw the populations “thirsting and hungry for justice” and so came to them to recognize their faith and proclaim how “blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers.”
Cameroon: Keep alive the spirit of unity to guide future choices
In Cameroon the Pope was able to “reinforce the call to work together for reconciliation and peace.” He especially highlighted his visit to Bamenda – an area in the Anglophone region marked by hostilities due to separatist groups – where he encouraged people to work for peace.
The Pope also explained that “Cameroon is known as ‘Africa in miniature,’ in reference to the variety and richness of its natural environment, its resources.”
However, he continued, “we can also interpret this expression to mean that the great needs of the entire continent are found in Cameroon: the need for a fair distribution of wealth; the need to provide space for the young, overcoming endemic issues; that of promoting integral and sustainable development, countering the various forms of neo-colonialism with far-sighted international cooperation.”
He underlined that he hopes “that the spirit of unity which was evident during” his visit “may be kept alive and guide future choices and actions.”
Angola: A hope that withstands the empty promises of the powerful
In Angola, the Pope noted that despite a bloody civil war after achieving independence in 1975, “in the crucible of this history, God has guided and purified the Church, increasingly converting her in the service of the Gospel, human promotion, reconciliation, and peace.”
“A free Church for a free people!” he emphasized.
He also recalled that he “felt the beating heart of the Angolan people” at the Mamã Muxima Marian Shrine and was struck by seeing so many people of all ages participating and rejoicing at the various events.
He saw in them “the foundation of a hope that withstands the disappointments caused by ideologies and the empty promises of the powerful.”
He highlighted though that “this hope demands concrete commitment” and said the Church has the responsibility to recognize and promote the rights of all.
The Pope also assured the Catholic Church’s willingness to continue to help in this respect, especially “in the field of healthcare and education.”
Equatorial Guinea: Genuine signs of the Kingdom of God in a prison
The Pope then turned to the fourth leg of his Apostolic Journey and recounted the particularly strong moment when he visited a prison in the northwestern city of Bata.
“The prisoners sang at the top of their voices a song of thanksgiving to God and to the Pope, asking him to pray ‘for their sins and their freedom’. I had never seen anything like it,” he said.
“And then they prayed the ‘Our Father’ with me in the pouring rain. A genuine sign of the Kingdom of God!”
Then, the same day and still in the rain, the Pope met with young people in the city’s stadium in “a celebration of Christian joy, with moving testimonies from young people who have found in the Gospel the path to free and responsible growth.”
“This celebration culminated in the Eucharistic celebration the following day, which worthily crowned the visit to Equatorial Guinea, as well as the entire Apostolic Journey,” the Pope concluded. – Vatican News
