Pope Leo XIV Visits Angola Shrine, Reflects on Slave Trade History
Pope Leo XIV visited the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima in Angola, a site historically significant for its role in the African slave trade during Portugal's colonial rule. The pope prayed at the shrine, which was originally built by Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century and served as a hub where enslaved Africans were baptized before being sent to the Americas. During his visit, Pope Leo XIV, whose ancestry includes both enslaved people and slave owners, emphasized the need for a world without wars, injustices, or poverty. The visit highlighted the Catholic Church's historical involvement in the slave trade, a topic that remains sensitive and complex within the Church's history. 
