AP
Angola Africa Pope
Pope Leo XIV is cheered by faithful as he arrives to celebrate a mass at Saurimo esplanade, Angola, Monday, April 20, 2026.
As featured on
There is a case to be made that Pope Leo XIV found his voice on his epic and ongoing trip through Africa. He has been criticizing the “handful of tyrants” and “chains of corruption” that have held parts of the continent hostage for centuries. But Leo has been preaching this kind of message for a while, including in the context of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. It just took U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprecedented broadside and Vice President JD Vance’s claims of theological superiority for many people to pay attention, especially American Catholics.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.