Luanda, ANGOLA — Pope Leo XIV departed Luanda officially concluding his three-day Apostolic Journey to Angola and flying toward Equatorial Guinea for the final stage of his four-nation continental tour.
The Pontiff celebrated a private morning Mass at the Apostolic Nunciature in Luanda before heading to the airport on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.
Okay News reports that the Pope was bid farewell by Angolan President João Lourenço before the papal plane took off at 9:19 AM local time.
During his stay in Angola, Leo XIV visited the cities of Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo, consistently speaking out against the “logic of exploitation” regarding the country’s natural resources and calling for a culture of justice to address widespread poverty. His visit to the diamond-rich Saurimo region on Monday highlighted the environmental and social challenges faced by marginalized mining communities.
The Pope is expected to arrive in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, late this morning, where he will be received with an official welcome ceremony. His itinerary for the final leg of the trip includes a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic, meetings with civil society and the diplomatic corps, and a visit to the “Jean Pierre Olie” Psychiatric Hospital.
The 11-day journey, which began in Algeria and included Cameroon and Angola, is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, April 23. Vatican News indicated that the Pontiff will continue to address themes of institutional credibility and humanitarian support throughout his remaining engagements in Malabo.
