SAURIMO, Angola — An estimated 60,000 faithful braved scorching heat to attend Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Saurimo on Monday, as the pontiff cautioned against reducing faith to superstition and self-interest.
Under a blazing sun and temperatures reaching 30°C, crowds filled the esplanade in the northeastern Angolan city, singing and dancing as they welcomed the Pope during his ongoing apostolic journey to Africa.
In his homily, the Pope warned against treating God as a “good luck charm,” urging believers to pursue a deeper and more authentic faith.
“There are erroneous motives for seeking Christ, particularly when he is considered to be a guru or a good luck charm,” he said, referencing the Gospel account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
He added that many in the biblical crowd followed Jesus not out of love, but for personal gain. “They were not seeking a teacher whom they love, but a leader to applaud for their own advantage,” he said.
The Mass in Saurimo was marked by vibrant expressions of faith, with the congregation welcoming the pontiff with songs, applause, and traditional dances despite the intense heat.
The visit forms part of Pope Leo XIV’s 11-day tour of Africa, his first since becoming head of the Catholic Church. The trip includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, Algeria, and Equatorial Guinea.
Earlier in the day, the Pope also visited a home for the elderly in Saurimo, where he emphasised the importance of listening to older generations, describing them as bearers of wisdom and experience.
Since arriving in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pope has been met with enthusiastic receptions, highlighting the region’s strong Catholic faith and cultural vibrancy.
