Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Angola, scheduled from the 18th to the 21st of this month, is anticipated to influence the revision of the Framework Agreement between the Holy See and Angola, originally signed in September 2019. This potential development was highlighted by Carlos Alberto Fonseca, the Angolan ambassador to the Holy See, during a press briefing in the Vatican. The visit is part of the Pope's broader tour, which will also include stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Ambassador Fonseca emphasized the evolving challenges and opportunities that have arisen since the agreement's inception. He referenced the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Muxima as a significant national project with religious, spiritual, and social implications. The Angolan government and the Catholic Church have collaborated to ensure the success of the Pope's visit, demonstrating the partnership between the two entities.
The Framework Agreement, signed on September 13, 2019, outlines several key aspects, including the recognition of the Catholic Church's legal status in Angola and its asset ownership. In preparation for the agreement's revision, President Joo Manuel Gon§alves Louren§o has established an Interministerial Commission tasked with overseeing negotiations.
Angola's relationship with the Holy See is steeped in history, dating back to the appointment of Ant³nio Manuel N'Vunda as the first ambassador of the Kingdom of Congo to Rome in 1608. In more recent times, Angola welcomed Pope John Paul II in 1992 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. The upcoming visit by Pope Leo XIV marks the third time a Supreme Pontiff will visit the country, reflecting the enduring connection between Angola and the Vatican.
