Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of peace and reconciliation on Sunday at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima in Angola, a deeply revered Catholic site with a complex and painful history tied to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Located along the Kwanza River, the sanctuary became a major pilgrimage destination following reported Marian apparitions in the 19th century. However, the Church of Our Lady of Muxima was originally constructed by Portuguese colonizers in the late 1500s as part of a fortress connected to slavery. Enslaved Africans were once held there, baptized, and forced to march over 100 kilometers to Luanda before being shipped to the Americas.
Message of love over conflict
“It is love that must triumph, not war,” Leo said during a prayer invoking the Virgin Mary, encouraging the faithful to act as “messenger angels” spreading compassion and hope. While praying the Rosary inside the modest church, he reflected on centuries of suffering endured by Angolans, without explicitly mentioning slavery.
A site with a contested past
The sanctuary stands as a reminder of the Catholic Church’s historical links to slavery, including forced baptisms and colonial-era doctrines that justified enslavement. Papal decrees such as Dum Diversas and Romanus Pontifex supported what became known as the Doctrine of Discovery—formally repudiated by the Vatican in 2023.
Scholars note the significance of the Pope’s visit, particularly for Black Catholics whose religious identity is intertwined with this legacy.
Appeals for justice and unity
Speaking to tens of thousands gathered at the site, Leo urged Angolans to work toward a society free from war, injustice, and corruption. Earlier remarks near Luanda emphasized the need to end exploitation and foster reconciliation after years of conflict. He also welcomed a ceasefire in Lebanon as a hopeful sign for lasting peace.
