Pope Leo Urges Angola to Build Hope While Denouncing Trump’s Iran Threat

**TL;DR** Pope Leo told Angolans to look to the future with hope and not fear building it. He also called Donald Trump's threat to end Iran's civilization unacceptable and noted Angola's Muxima pilgrimage site receives about two million visitors each year.

## Context Pope Leo delivered the message during an open‑air Mass near Luanda, part of his Africa tour that began in Algeria and Cameroon. He spoke to tens of thousands, urging the country to move beyond divisions and corruption left by its civil war, which ended in 2002. At a meeting with President João Lourenço, Leo criticized the exploitation of natural resources that has caused social and environmental disasters.

## Key Facts Leo said, "Today, there is a need to look to the future with hope and to build that hope. Do not be afraid to do so." He described Trump's threat to end Iran's civilization as "unacceptable." The Muxima pilgrimage site, featuring a 300‑year‑old church and a statue known as Mama Muxima, draws roughly two million pilgrims annually.

## What It Means The pope's call for hope‑building aligns with his broader push for social justice and anti‑corruption messaging across Africa. His criticism of Trump's Iran stance adds to growing tension between the Vatican and the former U.S. administration, which has previously labeled the pope "weak" and "terrible for foreign policy." Observers will watch whether Angola's government adopts the pope's appeal for hope‑driven reforms and how the Vatican's position on Iran influences future diplomatic talks.