Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

Pope Leo lamented during an event in Angola on Monday that many people in the world were being “exploited by authoritarians and defrauded by the rich”, the latest example of a forceful new speaking style he has adopted on his ‌four-nation Africa tour.The first US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump with his more outspoken comments, told worshippers at a Mass in Saurimo, near the Democratic Republic of Congo border, that violence and oppression went against the Christian message.“Every form of oppression, violence, exploitation and dishonesty negates the resurrection of Christ,” said the pontiff, referring to the core belief of Christianity that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified.His visit to ⁠Angola marks the third leg of an ambitious 10-day Africa tour, one of the most complicated ever conducted by a pope, ‌with stops in 11 cities and towns in four countries, traversing nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) over 18 flights.Leo, who became the head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church last May, kept a ‌relatively low profile in the first 10 months of his papacy but has issued forceful denunciations of war ⁠and inequality during his ⁠Africa tour.He has also repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.Pope Leo XIV leads the Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade in Angola on Monday. Photo: AFP