Ndalatando: Religious leaders in the city of Ndalatando, Cuanza-Norte province, have described Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Angola as a testament to the Christian maturity of Angolans and an affirmation of the robust relations between Angola and the Vatican.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the visit of three Supreme Pontiffs of the Catholic Church to Angola is seen by religious leaders as a recognition of the country's long history of faith, spanning over 500 years of evangelization and Christian unity. Father Constantino Miguel, the vicar general of the diocese of Ndalatando, noted that Angola's selection for one of Pope Leo XIV's first visits to an African country is a testament to the strength of the local church's faith.
The visit is expected to enhance Angola's role in promoting unity, peace, cohesion, and neighborly love across the continent, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Father Lino Ngonga, the parish priest of Ndalatando Cathedral, emphasized that the visit underscores the strong diplomatic ties Angola has maintained with the Holy See, dating back to when Angola accredited an ambassador to the Vatican during the Kingdom of Kongo.
In the social sphere, Father Lino Ngonga expressed hope that the Pope's visit will also foster stronger family ties and unity among Angolans. Lºcio Marques, a pastor of the Pentecostal Church, echoed these sentiments, stating that the Pope's visit, despite his Catholic leadership, reinforces unity and cohesion among Christians in pursuit of global peace and prosperity.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Angola is part of a broader tour of the African continent, as announced by the Apostolic Nuncio to Angola, Archbishop Kryspin Dubiel, in Luanda. The Vatican's representative in Angola confirmed that the Pontiff has accepted the invitation from the Angolan Episcopate and President Joo Louren§o, with the visit's date and official program still pending finalization.
