Original Source
Pope Leo XIV Visits Angolan Shrine, Acknowledges Painful Slave Trade History
Papal Visit to Muxima Shrine in Angola
Pope Leo XIV visited Muxima, Angola, the country's most famous and popular Catholic shrine. This site holds a terrible history as a hub in the transatlantic slave trade. Portuguese colonizers built a fort and a church here, where enslaved Africans were brought, forcibly baptized, and then put on ships to the Americas. The Pope prayed the Rosary with the people during his visit to Muxima today.
Reflecting on a Painful Past Through Prayer
While Pope Leo XIV did not explicitly refer to slavery, he spoke about how this place has been a site where people have prayed in moments of joy and, centuries ago, during the deeply painful moments of Angola's history. His visit served as a message of encouragement for the long-suffering people of Angola, acknowledging the profound historical significance of Muxima.
*Source: YouTube: Associated Press (2026-04-19)*
