Pope Leo XIV visits Angola this year.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Matthew 21:9.
IMBISA (Inter-Regional Association of Bishops of Southern Africa) greets with faith and joy the announcement made at a press conference on January 13, 2026, at the Apostolic Nunciature, by Archbishop Kryspin Dubiel, that the Holy Father has accepted the invitation made by President João Lourenço and the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé to visit Angola during his tour of the African continent.
As this is an event of revival of faith, not only in Angola but also in the Southern region, IMBISA joins CEAST and is prepared to cooperate for the success of the event. This will undoubtedly be a moment of great spiritual and cultural significance, reinforcing the presence and role of the Catholic Church in the history of Angola. It should be noted that this will be the third visit of a Pope to Angola, after John Paul II in June 1992 and Benedict XVI in March 2009.
According to Vatican News, the pastoral visit is part of the Holy Father’s international agenda and will focus on faith, peace, reconciliation, and hope, with meetings planned with state authorities, religious leaders, and the faithful. We are certain that the Holy Father will help strengthen the evangelizing mission of the Church and its commitment to social issues, because in Sub-Saharan Africa, Angola is the oldest in the evangelization process.
The detailed program, including exact dates and locations, will be released in due course. At this moment, the plan and program for the visit are being prepared. Although these details are not yet available, it is certain that this visit aims to guide not only the faithful of the Catholic Church in Angola, but also all Angolan citizens, inviting them to be prepared for this very important event.
IMBISA hopes that the Holy Father’s visit will be an opportunity to rediscover the Christian values that have shaped the Angolan people, and that these values can be shared with the various communities that live and work in the country and the southern region.
Welcome to Angola, Holy Father!