Angolan bishop warns that ignoring Pope Leo XIV’s peace message could deepen divisions, urging leaders to embrace dialogue and unity.
Newsroom (07/05/2026 Gaudium Press )Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of the Catholic Diocese of Caxito has issued a stark warning that Angola risks intensifying its social and political divisions if leaders and citizens fail to heed the message of peace delivered by Pope Leo XIV during his recent Apostolic Visit.
Speaking during a May 3 homily at St. Joseph Ambrix Parish, Bishop Camuto called on Angolans—particularly political leaders—to take seriously the Pope’s appeal for national reconciliation made during his April 18–21 visit to the country. He expressed concern that the message had not been fully received, pointing to a broader cultural and political failure to listen.
“Today’s world is very noisy; we hardly listen to one another. It seems to me we did not listen—or at least not all of us did,” the bishop said.
His remarks came in the wake of a tense parliamentary exchange in Luanda, where members of the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the opposition National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) traded accusations and engaged in heated shouting just days after the papal visit. For Bishop Camuto, the incident underscored a troubling disconnect between the Pope’s call for unity and the conduct of political actors.
He criticized inflammatory rhetoric, warning that such language undermines peace efforts. “Even before the Pope returned to Rome, we were already clashing in Parliament with words that offend peace and reconciliation,” he said.
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s caution against divisive political strategies, Bishop Camuto urged a rejection of what he described as “the politics of hatred, manipulation, and division.” He emphasized that political discourse should serve as a bridge for unity rather than a tool for deepening societal fractures.
The bishop also situated current tensions within Angola’s historical context, noting that previous papal visits had similarly called for peace but were not always fully embraced. According to him, the country’s recurring conflicts reflect a persistent inability to listen and learn from past experiences.
“We have difficulty listening, and that is why we continue to face many problems,” he said, urging a shift toward openness and shared responsibility.
Beyond political leadership, Bishop Camuto highlighted the role of the media in shaping public discourse. He called on journalists and communication platforms to amplify the Pope’s message, describing communication as a powerful instrument for fostering justice and reconciliation.
He further extended his concerns to everyday life, arguing that excessive noise within families and communities erodes meaningful dialogue. Advocating for what he termed a “culture of silence,” the bishop said such an environment is essential for genuine listening and mutual understanding.
“Our families and neighborhoods need silence—silence that makes listening possible,” he said.
Bishop Camuto concluded by stressing that lasting peace begins with attentive listening and a willingness to change. Without these, he warned, Angola may miss a critical opportunity to advance national unity and reconciliation.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
Related Images:
