Catholic Bishops in Angola Hail New Pontiff for Good Name Choice, “very clear missionary outlook” in Maiden Speech

He said, “The Church in Angola will continue to work in a spirit of communion, fidelity, collaboration, and obedience to Christ, represented in the person of the Holy Father.”

In embracing collaborative approaches to mission, Archbishop Imbamba continued, “we will evangelize deeply and foster authentic conversions so we can truly be the Church of Christ in a world in need of profound, Gospel-inspired transformation.”

Also speaking to ACI Africa on the election of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Martín Lasarte Topolansky of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Luena recognized the new Pontiff’s commitment to social justice and the poor.

“The name Leo XIV, chosen by the Pontiff, directly recalls the Church’s social engagement tradition, tied to the legacy of Pope Leo XIII and his Encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed social justice and workers' rights,” Bishop Lasarte told ACI Africa on May 8.

He added, “When the Pope chose the name Leo XIV, it reminded us of Pope Leo XIII, a tireless advocate for the poor and workers. With his pastoral experience in countries marked by great inequality, Pope Leo XIV is well placed to carry forward this tradition.”

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“We hope he will be a powerful voice in the fight against inequality, particularly in Africa,” the Uruguayan-born member of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) said.

He continued, “I believe Pope Leo XIV will stress this greatly: that the Church must be an active and transformative presence in an increasingly polarized and unequal world.”

On his part, Bishop Estanislau Marques Chindekasse of Angola’s Dundo Catholic Diocese underscored the importance collaboration and synodality.  

“Pope Leo XIV has already shown that he is a leader open to listening and dialogue. He will not govern alone but with all members of the Church. Synodality will be a hallmark of this Pontificate,” Bishop Chindekasse told ACI Africa on May 8.

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) highlighted the rich background of the new Pontiff, saying, “He is an American Pope, born in Chicago, with missionary experience in Latin America; he worked in Peru. He has experience beyond his own context.”

“This background gives Pope Leo XIV a global perspective and a deep understanding of the Church. He also knows the Roman Curia. That assures us,” Bishop Chindekasse added.

Also speaking to ACI Africa on May 8, Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of the Catholic Diocese of Caxito in Angola said, “The new Pope, with his experience, can lead the Church in synodality. We must listen to the people of God, for we are all called to participate in the mission. Pope Leo XIV will bring this renewal, with a keen focus on the needs of the poor and marginalized.”

The Angolan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) said the new Pope is certainly “following in the footsteps of his predecessors, especially Leo XIII. This Pope will surely leave a mark on the life of the Church by inviting Christians to peace, love, and social harmony. We are all children of God.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Estevão Binga of the Catholic Diocese of Ganda told ACI Africa that he hopes for “continuity”.

Bishop Binga said he was “confident that the Spirit will continue to bring newness. Where there is synodality and participation, there is always new life. In everything, grace and joy.”

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The late Pope Francis created the newly elected Holy Father a Cardinal in the September 2023 Consistory. The following month, he was appointed a member of multiple Dicasteries, including for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the Eastern Churches, for the Clergy, for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Culture and Education, for Legislative Texts, and for the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

In 2023, he spoke to Vatican News about what he considered to be the “portrait of a Bishop.”

“We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine, the way of living our faith, but we risk forgetting that our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ and to bear witness to our closeness to the Lord,” he told Vatican News.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.