Angolan Church launches ‘spiritual mobilisation’ ahead of papal visit

The Pope’s presence is an invitation to continue building peaceful coexistence and national healing, renewing the country’s commitment to peace, said Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba.

The Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe unveiled the logo and motto for Pope Leo’s visit to Angola scheduled for 18-21 April, and launched a nationwide prayer campaign in preparation.

Conference president Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of Saurímo announced the motto as “Pope Leo XIV, pilgrim of hope, reconciliation and peace”, and described it as the start of a spiritual mobilisation aimed at preparing the hearts of Angolans to welcome the Pope.

Archbishop Imbamba said that the prayer “was prepared as an instrument of spiritual preparation for all the people of God in Angola”, encouraging parishes, families, ecclesial movements and Catholic institutions to experience the visit “in faith and unity”.

The prayer seeks to place the entire Church in Angola on a shared path of preparation, helping the faithful welcome Pope Leo XIV as “a pilgrim of hope, reconciliation and peace”, Imbamba said. He explained that the visit of the Pope should be experienced above all as a spiritual event – not only for the Church, but for wider Angolan society.

“The goal is for the faithful to pray for the Pope’s visit and for the spiritual fruits it may bear in the country,” the archbishop said, adding that the prayer invites Christians to ask God to strengthen faith and promote unity among Angolans.

He explained that the phrase “pilgrim of hope” in the motto reflects the Pope’s role as universal pastor, bringing a message of spiritual encouragement and renewed confidence in “a future of justice, fraternity, and solidarity”.

The words “reconciliation and peace”, he said, resonate deeply with Angola’s history, marked by years of armed conflict. The Pope’s presence, he continued, is an invitation to continue building peaceful coexistence and national healing, renewing the country’s commitment to peace.

“Christian hope,” Imbamba said, “can transform the wounds of the past into paths toward the future.”

The archbishop also unveiled and explained the symbolism of the official logo, noting that each element was intentionally designed to communicate a spiritual message.

“Angola is called to transform pain into hope and a past marked by war into a future rooted in peace and reconciliation under the Pope’s blessing,” he said.

The Pope will visit 11 cities during his 10-day visit to four African countries in April 2026.

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