Pope Leo XIV's visit to an African church linked to slavery reflects on his own complex heritage
- Posted on April 18, 2026
- By AOL
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- 1 min read
In brief
Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming visit to the Church of Our Lady of Muxima in Angola highlights the complex intersection of religious faith and colonial history in Africa. Originally constructed by Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century as a strategic fortress outpost, this sacred site became instrumental in facilitating the transatlantic slave trade. Today, the church represents a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church to confront its institutional legacy while honoring the spiritual transformation that occurred when devotees reported Marian apparitions in the 1830s, transforming it into a significant pilgrimage destination.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to an African church linked to slavery reflects on his own complex heritage
The Church of Our Lady of Muxima was built by Portuguese colonizers in Angola at the end of the 16th century as part of a fortress complex and became a hub in the slave trade. It remains a reminder of the inextricable link hundreds of years ago between Catholicism and the exploitation of the African continent. Pope Leo XIV’s planned visit to the church in the town of Muxima on Sunday as part of his Africa tour is in recognition of it becoming a popular Catholic shrine after believers reported an appearance by the Virgin Mary around 1833.
