LUANDA, Angola — Tens of thousands gathered near Angola’s capital on Sunday for an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, marking the second day of his visit to the oil-rich but impoverished nation. The event took place in Kilamba, a suburb of Luanda, where large crowds sought spiritual encouragement amid ongoing economic hardship.

The pope arrived in Angola on Saturday as part of an 11-day African tour that also includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. Upon arrival, he met with President João Lourenço and government officials, urging action against oppression, poverty, and the exploitation of the country’s vast natural resources. His remarks echoed broader themes of his tour, which have emphasized combating corruption and addressing the unequal distribution of wealth across the continent.

Angola is one of Africa’s top oil producers and is rich in diamonds and other minerals, yet approximately one-third of its 36.6 million people live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Many attendees at the Mass, including 32-year-old Patricio Musanga, voiced a desire for hope and better opportunities within Angola rather than emigration abroad. “We are very rich in natural resources but there is a glaring inequality between those who live well and the others,” Musanga said.

The lingering effects of Angola’s civil war, which lasted from independence in 1975 until 2002, continue to shape the country’s social and economic landscape. Father Pedro Chingandu, who traveled from eastern Moxico province to attend the service, highlighted the need for democratic reforms and equitable wealth distribution. “There’s a concentration of wealth in the hands of very few, and of course the war just aggravated the situation,” he said.

Following the Mass in Kilamba, Pope Leo is scheduled to fly roughly 110 kilometers to Muxima, home to Angola’s most revered pilgrimage church. The centuries-old shrine, overlooking the Kwanza River, was historically a baptism site for enslaved Africans before their forced transit to the Americas. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects around Muxima, including plans to build a basilica and new public facilities, although some critics have raised concerns about whether such spending aligns with the country’s urgent development needs.

Angola experienced a wave of violent looting last July, which resulted in at least 30 deaths amid a heavy-handed police crackdown. Analysts linked the unrest to public dissatisfaction with President Lourenço’s ruling MPLA party, which has dominated Angolan politics since independence.

On the flight to Angola, Pope Leo addressed ongoing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized the pontiff following his calls for peace in the Middle East. The pope said engaging in such disputes “is not in my interest at all.” After concluding his visit to Angola, the pope will continue his tour with a stop in Equatorial Guinea.