Pope Leo XIV Reflects on Angola’s Painful History During Visit to Muxima Shrine
In a poignant address at the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the profound “sorrow and great suffering” experienced by the Angolan people throughout centuries of oppression and colonialism. This visit marked a significant moment as the Pope prayed at a site historically linked to the transatlantic slave trade during Portuguese rule.
Located in the heart of Angola’s savannas, the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima has evolved into a major pilgrimage destination since reports of an apparition of the Virgin Mary surfaced in 1833. Originally established in the late 16th century by Portuguese colonizers as part of a fortified settlement, the Church of Our Lady of Muxima served a disturbing role in the slave trade. Enslaved Africans were often baptized there before being forced on a grueling journey of over 110 kilometers to the port of Luanda, where they were shipped to the Americas.
During his time at the sanctuary, Pope Leo XIV, who has personal ties to both enslaved ancestors and slaveowners, recited the Rosary in the simple whitewashed church adorned with blue trim. In his address, conducted in Portuguese, he evocatively remarked on the sanctuary’s history, stating it has been a place “where, for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering.” While not directly referencing slavery, he urged the congregation—estimated at 30,000—to aspire toward a “better, more welcoming world,” free from conflicts, injustices, and poverty.
The historical significance of Muxima extends beyond its religious connotations; it embodies the Catholic Church’s troubling involvement in the slave trade. Analysts contend that the Vatican’s ongoing reluctance to fully acknowledge or atone for this history remains a barrier to healing for many Black Catholics. As noted by Anthea Butler, a senior fellow at the Koch Center, the visit serves as an important opportunity for collective healing within the Black Catholic community.
Research highlights that many Black Catholics have roots tracing back to slavery, often due to the convoluted history of the “Code Noir,” which mandated the baptism of enslaved individuals by Catholic owners. The involvement of Portuguese colonizers in enslaving non-Christians was sanctioned by papal directives from the 15th century. Notably, in 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas, granting the Portuguese the authority to invade and enslave “Saracens, pagans, and other infidels.”
More than 5 million individuals were forcibly taken from Angola and sent along the transatlantic slave route, contributing to nearly half of the estimated 12.5 million Africans enslaved during that period. While many were sold by African traffickers, the Portuguese were complicit in both purchasing and capturing enslaved people, using papal endorsements for their actions.
Despite the Vatican’s attempts in recent years to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery, the failure to formally rescind or explicitly reject previous papal bulls associated with slavery continues to evoke debate among scholars and advocates. The complexity of Popes Leo XIV’s own ancestry, which includes both enslaved and enslaver roots, further amplifies this discourse.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit also signifies a broader call for introspection within the Church regarding its historical transgressions against marginalized communities. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the first African American cardinal, emphasized the relevance of the Pope’s heritage to many African Americans, reflecting the importance of cultural identity within the context of faith.
As Pope Leo XIV continues his mission, many advocates hope his reflections will inspire a genuine acknowledgment of the Church’s role in supporting colonialism and the slave trade, fostering healing and reconciliation in a world still grappling with the lasting impacts of these historical injustices.
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