Pope Leo XIV urges Angolans to seek eternal life, reject selfish faith, and follow Christ’s path of hope, justice, and spiritual renewal.
Newsroom (20/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) In Saurimo, Angola, Pope Leo XIV delivered a deeply reflective homily centered on the transformative power of the Risen Christ, urging the faithful to move beyond superficial faith and embrace a life shaped by love, service, and spiritual purpose.
Celebrating Mass on Monday as part of his Apostolic Journey, the Pope reminded the gathered community that the Church, across the world, is a people in motion—“disciples of Christ, our brother and Redeemer”—sustained by the Gospel that “courses through our veins like blood.” That shared journey, he said, had brought him to Angola, uniting the faithful in “the joy and beauty” of communion in Jesus’ name.
At the heart of his message was a call to rediscover the true motivation for seeking Christ. Recalling the Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves, Pope Leo warned against a faith driven by self-interest. He cited Jesus’ words to the crowd—“You are looking for me… because you ate your fill of the loaves”—as a caution against reducing faith to utility.
“This happens,” the Pope said, “when genuine faith is replaced with superstitious practices,” where God is treated as a means to an end rather than encountered as a living person. In such cases, even divine gifts risk being misunderstood as commodities or rewards.
Instead, he emphasized that Christ calls humanity into freedom and relationship—not servitude. “He does not want servants or clients,” the Pope said, “but brothers and sisters.” True faith, he continued, requires more than hearing or witnessing; it demands imitation, discipleship, and a willingness to follow Christ’s example of self-giving love.
That call finds concrete expression in Jesus’ invitation: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.” Pope Leo clarified that this does not dismiss earthly needs but reorders them, pointing toward the “bread of life” that sustains humanity beyond material existence.
Linking the Gospel message to contemporary realities, the Pope acknowledged the suffering of many whose hopes are “frustrated by violence,” “exploited by the overbearing,” and “defrauded by the rich.” In such conditions, he warned, injustice distorts the common good, turning “the bread of all” into “the possession of a few.”
Yet, he offered a message of hope rooted in the living presence of Christ. “Christ lives! He is our Redeemer,” he proclaimed, affirming that the Resurrection is not only a future promise but a present force that lifts humanity from suffering and renews history itself.
The Pope stressed that the message of Easter extends beyond Christ to all believers. Humanity, he said, is not destined for death or oppression but for freedom—freedom from violence, exploitation, and corruption, all of which contradict the reality of the Resurrection.
To receive this gift, he pointed to the Gospel’s simple yet profound answer: “Believe in him whom he has sent.” Faith, he urged, must become a lived commitment—expressed through service to others, adherence to truth, and a life guided by Christ’s word.
Quoting the Psalm, “Happy are those who walk in the law of the Lord,” Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to resist being guided by fleeting trends or personal demands. Instead, he described the Church’s path as a “synod of resurrection and hope,” echoing Saint John Paul II’s vision for Africa.
He further highlighted that the Church’s mission is not only proclaimed in words but embodied in action. Through the Eucharist—the “bread of eternal life”—believers are called to rebuild what violence destroys, uplift the fallen, and strengthen bonds of fraternity.
The witness of martyrs and saints, he added, continues to inspire a path of reconciliation and peace, where faith becomes a shared responsibility across families, communities, and society. In Angola, he noted, the vitality of religious vocations stands as a sign of a living and responsive faith.
Concluding the Mass, Pope Leo XIV expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Church and civil authorities in Angola for their welcome and preparation. He offered a final appeal to the nation: “Remain faithful to your Christian roots,” encouraging Angola to continue contributing to justice and peace across Africa and the world.
With the Eucharist as its foundation and the Gospel as its guide, the Pope affirmed, the Church’s journey continues—toward a Kingdom defined by faith and sustained by charity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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