At Angola’s Mamã Muxima Shrine, Pope Leo XIV calls for peace, justice, and solidarity, urging youth to let love triumph over war.
Newsroom (20/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) At one of Angola’s most revered spiritual sites, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message that resonated far beyond the walls of a historic shrine: love must prevail over war.
On Sunday, the Pope visited the Marian Shrine of Mamã Muxima, located roughly 130 kilometres from the capital, Luanda. The site—whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu—has stood for centuries as a symbol of faith and endurance. Built in the 16th century, it has long served as a refuge for prayer during some of the nation’s most turbulent periods, including colonial rule and a prolonged civil war.
Today, it continues to draw thousands of pilgrims annually, embodying both continuity and renewal in Angola’s religious life.
Joining the faithful in praying the Rosary, Pope Leo XIV described the gathering as a shared “moment of Marian prayer” with the local Church. Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other devotees, he emphasized the enduring relevance of the Rosary, calling it a simple yet profound expression of faith rooted in Christian tradition.
Quoting Saint John Paul II, the Pope noted that the Rosary retains the “freshness” of early Christianity, continuing to inspire believers to proclaim Christ in the modern world. He pointed to the vitality of faith among those present, describing it as both “living and young,” and praised the shrine’s legacy as a place where generations have turned in times of both joy and hardship.
“Mamã Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone and prays for everyone,” he said, underscoring the inclusive spirit of the sanctuary.
The visit, taking place during the Easter season, carried additional theological significance. The Pope reflected on the meaning of the Resurrection, describing it as both a promise of ultimate destiny and a call to action in the present. He encouraged the faithful to look to Mary as a model—particularly her ability to reflect deeply on the events of her Son’s life—and to cultivate a love that is universal and attentive to others.
That love, he stressed, must not remain abstract.
Prayer, he said, must lead to concrete acts of care and responsibility, especially toward those in need. He identified access to food, healthcare, education, and dignified living conditions for the elderly as essential expressions of Christian charity.
“A mother loves all her children,” the Pope said, presenting this as a guiding principle for social commitment, particularly toward the most vulnerable.
The visit also highlighted a forward-looking dimension of the Church’s presence in Angola. Pope Leo XIV pointed to the ongoing construction of a larger shrine designed to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. He described the project as a sign of hope and an invitation to renewal, particularly for younger generations.
Addressing young people directly, he urged them to take an active role in shaping a more just and peaceful society—one free from war, injustice, poverty, and corruption, and grounded in the values of the Gospel.
“It is love that must triumph, not war,” he said.
In closing, the Pope invited the faithful to entrust themselves to Mary and to carry their faith beyond the shrine’s walls. He encouraged them to leave as “messengers of life,” bringing hope, solidarity, and compassion into their daily lives and communities.
At Mamã Muxima—a place marked by centuries of prayer and resilience—the message was clear: faith must not only endure, but act.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
