Pope Leo urged Angolans on Sunday to overcome divisions after decades of devastating conflict in an address to an estimated 100,000 people who flocked to a mass near the capital Luanda.
In one of the biggest events of his four-nation Africa tour, the pope called Angola, which experienced a 27-year civil war from 1975 to 2002, a "beautiful yet wounded country."
He urged Angolans to "build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear."
Believers began arriving before dawn at Kilamba, a sprawling housing complex, braving hot and humid conditions to hear the address from the pope, who has become outspoken on war and inequality and irked US President Donald Trump.
Pope's visit to Angola is 'a joy,' Catholic faithful says
By the time the mass began, throngs of people filled the site, dancing and shouting as Leo drove through in his white popemobile.
Among those welcoming Leo was Sister Christina Matende, who arrived around 6 am for the mass.
"The pope coming here is a joy," she said. "We are living in a moment of a lot of difficulties."
Angola, whose population is 36.6 million, is one of the leading oil-producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than half of the country identifies as Catholic.
Pope's message lauded
Leo, the first pope from the US, is visiting Angola on the third leg of a four-nation Africa tour. In a speech to the country's political leaders on Saturday, he decried the exploitation of natural resources on the continent.
He also urged political leaders to focus on helping all their people, and not just corporate interests.
"History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you," he said.
Anielka Caliata, 25, who was in the crowd waiting for the pope in Kilamba on Sunday, said she was grateful for the way the pope has debuted a straight speaking style on his Africa tour.
"Our country needs a lot of this message and I think the pope will help us to think and reflect about that, knowing that all of us need to work together and do our best to have peace," she said, as she stood with her fiancé and parents.
