Papal Flight
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
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Matteo Bruni : Good morning everyone. That section has now come to an end as well. Good morning, Your Holiness. I’ll hand over to you now, so perhaps you’d like to say a few words.
Pope Leo XIV : Good morning, everyone! Now that we have completed this part of our journey in Angola, I would first like to remember, on this first anniversary of his death, Pope Francis, who gave so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words and his deeds: time and again, he demonstrated this by truly living in solidarity with the poorest, the most vulnerable, the sick, children and the elderly. He left so much to the Church through his witness and his words.
We can recall many things, for example: universal fraternity; seeking to foster genuine respect for all men and women; promoting this spirit of fraternity, of being brothers and sisters to one another, of seeking to live out the message we find in the Gospel whilst recognizing this spirit of brotherhood amongst all.
We can also recall the message of mercy, from that first time in the Angelus, or even in the Holy Mass he celebrated before the inauguration of his pontificate, on 17 March 2013, when he preached on the woman caught in adultery and how he spoke from the heart of God’s mercy, how he spoke from the heart of this great love, of forgiveness, a generous expression of the Lord’s mercy.
And he wished to share this spirit with the whole Church, also by holding that beautiful celebration of an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
Let us pray that he is already enjoying the Lord’s mercy and let us thank the Lord for the great gift of Francis’s life to the whole Church and to the whole world.
Now, I think there are perhaps a few questions about Angola… But we are truly happy! Ah, I must not forget – I think there are two or three of you celebrating your birthdays today; best wishes to them too! Who are they? [Bruni replies]. Happy birthday!
Matteo Bruni : Here are some Angolan journalists in front of you; the first to ask a question will be Adelina, from Angolan Television.
First question : Good morning, Your Holiness! How can the Church help the Angolan state to improve education and healthcare?
What sort of Church have you found in Angola, bearing in mind that the Angolan Church is very vibrant in terms of vocations, mothers and fathers [nuns and priests]?
Pope Leo XIV : Well, certainly, when it comes to how the Church can assist the State, we are entering into a complex issue… We are all working together for the good of the entire population, but from different perspectives.
However, I can tell you that one of the issues I discussed with the President is precisely that of health and education: how we can also work together, where possible, to improve the services that the State, in the case of Angola, offers above all to the people: the construction of new hospitals, new facilities.
A strong commitment for the good of the people. This is truly important.
I believe that the Church has a responsibility, through witness, through the word and also through preaching – a courageous proclamation of the word of God – to recognize the rights of all and to help, in this sense, to promote universal rights.
Matteo Bruni : Thank you, Your Holiness! Thank you, Adelina Domingos. The next question is from the Angolan Press Agency, Mauro Romeo.
Second question : Good morning, Your Holiness! Angola has recently lost its Cardinal, and the Angolan people are eagerly awaiting another. When will this happen, Holy Father?
Pope Leo XIV : That is the question many people want to ask. It has not yet been decided when new Cardinals will be appointed. We need to look at the matter from a global perspective.
We hope that for Africa, and perhaps even for Angola in the future – I am not saying in the immediate future, but a little further down the line – the appointment of a new Cardinal for Angola might also be considered. Thank you.
Matteo Bruni : Thank you, Your Holiness! The final question is from Cornelio Bento of Angolan Catholic Radio.
Third question : Good morning, Your Holiness! The Church in Angola has grown considerably in terms of the number of faithful. There is a growing sense that the Dioceses are becoming too few to cater for them. Will new Dioceses be established in Angola, or have the Angolan Bishops not yet requested this, Your Holiness?
Pope Leo XIV : Well, it is always a joy to see places around the world where the Church is growing. And we all know that there are other places in the world where the opposite is the case.
So, there is a call here to evangelization, to continue proclaiming the Gospel and seeking to invite others – not through proselytism, as Pope Francis has often said, but because of the beauty and appeal of the faith.
The joy of believers is one of the best proclamations of the faith, of the Gospel. And so it is true that in Angola the Church is growing.
Through the work of the Bishops themselves, who can put forward proposals, and with the cooperation of the Apostolic Nuncio, we can see in concrete terms where it would be important to create new Dioceses for the good of the people, to have the opportunity for more Bishops to be closer to the people as shepherds.
Thank you.
Very well. Have a safe flight, have a safe journey! Good wishes to you all!