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- Ukrainian forces target Russian military sites amid drone strikes
- Indonesia marks anniversary of Mount Tambora eruption that caused climate catastrophe
- Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote amid Europe’s moral leadership challenge
- Shamar Elkins identified as Louisiana gunman in shooting of eight children
- South Africa’s Gary Freeman killed by charging elephant during tourist tour
- Pope Leo XIV addresses Angola’s leaders on corruption and history
- US announces negotiations with Pakistan following Iran’s Strait of Hormuz incident
- Spain calls for EU to end Association Agreement with Israel at rally
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Ukrainian forces target Russian military sites amid drone strikes
2:00 am
Ukrainian forces target Russian military sites amid drone strikes
Teenager killed
A night-time strike in northern Ukraine resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy and left four others injured, according to the military administration of Chernihiv.
A night-time strike in northern Ukraine resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy and left four others injured, according to the military administration of Chernihiv.
Drone Strike Impact
Russian forces launched 236 drones against Ukrainian cities, with a significant 203 being intercepted, showcasing Ukraine’s air defence capabilities amidst ongoing conflict.
Russian forces launched 236 drones against Ukrainian cities, with a significant 203 being intercepted, showcasing Ukraine’s air defence capabilities amidst ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy’s Critique
“Every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for Moscow’s war,” stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemning the extension of US sanctions waiver on Russian oil.
“Every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for Moscow’s war,” stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemning the extension of US sanctions waiver on Russian oil.
Key developments
A night-time drone strike in northern Ukraine resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy and injured four others, according to Dmytro Bryjynsky, head of the military administration of Chernihiv.
Ukrainian Defence Forces targeted several strategic Russian assets overnight, including a facility of Atlant Aero in Taganrog, which is linked to drone manufacturing. Local authorities reported injuries from this strike.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned the US decision to extend a suspension of sanctions on Russian oil, highlighting concerns over ongoing access to funds for military actions against Ukraine.
Ukraine targeted with over 230 Russian drones, Zelenskyy blasts US green light for Russian oil
By Serge Duchêne
Published on
A night-time strike in northern Ukraine claimed the life of a teenager and wounded four people, the city’s military administration said on Sunday.
“One person was killed: a 16-year-old boy”, Dmytro Bryjynsky, head of the military administration of the town of Chernihiv, said on Telegram.
He added that four people were injured in the attack, which damaged several homes as well as administrative and school buildings.
On Saturday night, Russian forces launched 236 drones against Ukrainian cities, 203 of which were shot down or neutralised by Ukrainian air defences. 18 sites were directly hit, and debris also fell on 8 other locations.
On the morning of 19 April, Russian drones hit a taxi in Kherson and railway infrastructure in the Poltava region, causing the death of one person.
Kyiv strikes Russian military targets
On the night of 18 to 19 April, units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces carried out strikes against several strategic Russian targets on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory and on Russian territory.
According to the General Staff, a facility belonging to Russia’s military-industrial enterprise Atlant Aero (Taganrog, Rostov region) was hit causing a fire to break out.
The governor of the Rostov region, Yuri Sliusar, confirmed that a rocket attack had targeted the region, he added that three people were being treated by medical services in Taganrog. Commercial infrastructures were also hit and a fire broke out in warehouses, Sliusar, said.
According to Ukrainian outlet Pravda, Atlant Aero oversees the full design, production and testing process for the Molniya reconnaissance and strike drones, as well as components for the Orion drone. The latter, which weighs around one tonne, can carry a payload of up to 250 kg, including aerial imaging equipment, radio-electronic reconnaissance modules, optoelectronic systems, guided aerial bombs and missiles.
According to ASTRA, an open source intelligence medium (OSINT), Atlant Aero had already been the victim of attacks in January and March 2026.
The Ukrainian strikes also hit a Russian ammunition depot near Trudove, a temporarily occupied area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. Equipment and supply depots were targeted near Mangush, Topoline and Mariupol in the Donetsk region, as well as in Zaporizhzhia’s Smila. As well as, Tankers near the town of Novopoltavka were also struck.
The Ukrainian military also reported that, for the first time, its anti-drone forces had shot down a ‘Shahed’ using an interceptor launched from an unmanned surface vessel.
Kyiv blasts suspension of sanctions on Russian oil
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday denounced the extension announced on Friday of the suspension of US sanctions on Russian oil, claiming that “every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for Moscow’s war” in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy did not mention the US, but President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday granted a one-month waiver to the sanctions, allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products that were already loaded on vessels at sea.
Zelenskyy said there were currently more than 110 tankers carrying Russian oil at sea in breach of international sanctions, carrying more than 12 million tonnes of crude “which, due to the easing of sanctions, can again be sold without consequences”.
“This represents $10 billion – a resource that is being directly converted into new strikes against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on his social networks.
“This week alone, Russia has launched more than 2,360 drone strikes, more than 1,320 guided aerial bombs and nearly 60 missiles,” he added.
According to Zelenskyy, “it is important to prevent Russian oil tankers from accessing ports and to prohibit them from delivering oil there. The aggressor’s oil exports must decrease, and Ukraine’s long-term sanctions continue to work towards this end.”
For her part, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, called on the US administration to reinstate sanctions limiting trade in Russian oil.
“Russia must not be allowed to profit from the actions of its ally Iran. We urge the U.S. administration to reinstate sanctions on RU oil & petroleum products”, she wrote on X.
“If Russia sees that destabilisation and fanning the war are beneficial, new problems in the world will not be long in coming. Notably, the Russian representative has already called the oil waiver a ‘cooperation’.”
Indonesia marks anniversary of Mount Tambora eruption that caused climate catastrophe
11:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Indonesia marks anniversary of Mount Tambora eruption that caused climate catastrophe
On April 10, 1815, the Indonesian island of Sumbawa experienced one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history when Mount Tambora erupted, measuring seven out of eight on the Volcano Explosivity Index. The eruption released 24 cubic miles of gases, dust, and rock into the atmosphere, resulting in a global temperature drop of approximately 0.5°C due to 100 megatons of sulphur aerosols that created a deadly haze.
The eruption of Mount Tambora on April 10, 1815, unleashed 24 cubic miles of gases, dust, and rock, significantly cooling the Earth by an estimated 0.5°C, according to meteorological expert Nathan Rao. This climatic shift resulted in widespread crop failures and famine, particularly impacting Ireland, where wheat, oat, and potato crops suffered greatly.
The eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 led to significant climatic disruptions, resulting in the coldest summer ever recorded in the UK and global crop failures. Nathan Rao indicates that while modern technology and communication would provide better preparedness, the potential for another catastrophic volcanic eruption remains.
How a volcano triggered a global catastrophe and a ‘year without summer’ | News World
On April 10, 1815, the Indonesian island of Sumbawa witnessed one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history (Picture: Getty Images/500px)
Following a changeable and – at times – wintry last few weeks, the thought of snow in May, sunless skies in June and and a pandemic by July is too much to bear.
But two centuries ago, something very much like this did happen, triggered by a volcanic eruption on the other side of the world, which caused a climate catastrophe, three years of disruption and millions of deaths.
On April 10, 1815, the Indonesian island of Sumbawa witnessed one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history.
The eruption of Mount Tambora measured seven out of eight on the Volcano Explosivity Index, spewing 24 cubic miles of gasses, dust and rock into the atmosphere. (By comparison, Mount Vesuvius, which killed an estimated 2,000 people in 79 AD, was a magnitude five. The last known level-eight eruption occurred around 26,000 years ago.)
‘The eruption of Tambora was a catastrophic event and one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in 10,000 years. It threw a huge plume of volcanic eruption high beyond the troposphere, which is where we live, into the stratosphere,’ meteorological expert Nathan Rao tells WTX.
‘There, the aerosols reflected sunlight, and caused temperatures to drop for three years. It was 1819 before they recovered. And because the weather affects everything, it had a huge impact, not just short term changes and fluctuations in temperature and wind, but also on climate.’
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The eruption of Tambora was a catastrophic event (Picture: Getty Images)
Around 10,000 people were killed instantly as the explosion destroyed all vegetation on the island. Uprooted trees, mixed with pumice ash, washed into the sea, forming rafts up to three miles wide. Meanwhile, 100 megatons of sulphur aerosols created a deadly haze that blocked sunlight and cooled the Earth by an estimated 0.5°C.
‘That might not seem like much, but over a sustained period, very small changes in the balance of the atmosphere can have huge repercussions. It had a major impact in terms of crops, famine and the resulting disease,’ Nathan explains.
The following summer was recorded as the coldest ever in the UK, with snow falling in the Midlands in May due to the freezing overnight temperatures. Author Mary Shelley, confined indoors by the cold, was inspired by the grim weather to write the literary classic Frankenstein, while Lord Byron wrote the poem Darkness, which imagines the sun extinguished and the world collapsing into cold and chaos.
The UK summer that followed the eruption was recorded as the coldest ever (Picture: Getty Images/500px)
Gloomy, cold rains fell throughout Europe and in the United States, and the bleak months became known across both continents as ‘the year without summer.’
As temperature changes affected rain and snowfall, and the sun remained hidden, harvests failed globally causing poverty, starvation and food riots across Europe. In Ireland, wheat, oat and potato crops failed and the resulting famine and typhus outbreak took many lives.
Life in the UK was marked by strain and hunger. Soldiers returned home from the Napoleonic Wars to find low wages, scarce jobs and stilted industry. In rural areas, farmers watched fields rot and in the towns, food prices rose and ordinary families were unable to afford food and clothes. The effects were felt more keenly in Ireland, where fields that should have been productive looked sodden or under-grown and the skies were dull and damped by persistent cloud.
Asia was even more severely affected as famine and cholera proliferated across India and rice paddies were destroyed in China.
The eruption is thought to have cost millions of lives. And most frighteningly of all, those affected had no way of knowing whether the death, disease and destruction – and beautiful fiery sunsets caused by volcanic ash – were punishments issued by a vengeful god.
The view of Mout Tambora today (Picture: Getty Images)
Nathan explains: ‘They had no technology, no internet, no Met Office, so they wouldn’t have known what was going on. They wouldn’t have had a clue.
‘People would have made all sorts of analogies and superstitions about God, spirits or strange forces coming into action.
‘They would have seen their crops failing and people suffering, and not understood why. It had never been experienced before, so the strange weather effects would have been frightening. A bit like when people saw comets and they thought they were omens. It would have been a scary few years.’
So could such a freak weather occurrence happen again?
Journalist and meteorological expert Nathan Rao has been called to cover volcano stories at a moment’s notice (Pictrure: Grant Falvey)
While it’s important to note that this was a very rare event and as a civilisation, we are much better protected against natural disasters than 200 years ago, there is nothing to stop another ‘year without summer’.
As a journalist, Nathan has been called to cover volcano stories at a moment’s notice, and knows how quickly and without caution they can occur.
‘You don’t get many warnings with earthquakes and volcanoes. Look at the Tsunami in 2004. No-one saw that coming.
‘When it comes to natural disasters, if it’s happened once, it can happen again,’ he adds.
‘The eruption of Mount Tambora was a rare event, but theoretically we could see another volcanic eruption somewhere in the world.
Now, obviously, there would be much more information and communication, so we’d be able to deal with it much better – but it could still be catastrophic.’
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Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote amid Europe’s moral leadership challenge
10:00 pm
Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote amid Europe’s moral leadership challenge
Election Result
Rumen Radev secured victory in the parliamentary vote, highlighting the complexities faced by Europe in its pursuit of moral leadership on the global stage.
Rumen Radev secured victory in the parliamentary vote, highlighting the complexities faced by Europe in its pursuit of moral leadership on the global stage.
Moral Leadership Challenge
Rumen Radev’s victory signals Europe’s struggle to maintain its moral leadership amid complex global dynamics and increasing ambiguity in international governance.
Rumen Radev’s victory signals Europe’s struggle to maintain its moral leadership amid complex global dynamics and increasing ambiguity in international governance.
Moral Leadership Critique
“Europe has, in many ways, become a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader in a world without clear rules,” said Rumen Radev.
“Europe has, in many ways, become a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader in a world without clear rules,” said Rumen Radev.
Key developments
Rumen Radev stated that Europe has become a victim of its ambition to serve as a moral leader, following his triumph in the parliamentary vote.
The statement highlights ongoing tensions in navigating complex global challenges amid shifting power dynamics.
Rumen Radev wins in Bulgaria, says Europe is 'a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader.'
‘Europe has, in many ways, become a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader in a world without clear rules’, says Rumen Radev after winning the parliamentary vote.
Shamar Elkins identified as Louisiana gunman in shooting of eight children
9:01 pm
Media Lens: Shamar Elkins identified as Louisiana gunman in shooting of eight children
Shamar Elkins named as Louisiana gunman who murdered 8 kids.
A mass shooting in Louisiana has resulted in the deaths of eight children. The incident has been covered in both the US and global politics.|https://wtxnews.com/world-politics-news/ latest US news|https://wtxnews.com/>.
What happened
A mass shooting in Louisiana has resulted in the deaths of eight children and left others wounded. This tragic event is being reported by multiple news outlets, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Key facts
- Eight children were killed in a mass shooting in Louisiana.
- The incident involved multiple homes and was termed a domestic violence shooting.
- Shamar Elkins was named as the gunman responsible for the tragedy.
- Police have confirmed that the shooting left others wounded besides the fatalities.
- The shooting occurred recently, with reports emerging about an hour ago.
Where coverage differs
- The Guardian emphasizes the domestic violence aspect, while CNN emphasizes the fatalities of children.
- Le Monde.fr foregrounds the shooter’s identity rather than the event itself.
- New York Post prioritizes who the gunman is over the victims involved.
One story, four angles
CNN – 8 children killed in domestic shootings across multiple homes in Louisiana, police say
Publication: CNN | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: urgent | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: general
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Espresso Shot: CNN focuses on the tragic event where eight children were killed, emphasizing the immediate impact on families and communities. It highlights the details of the crime and police response, prioritizing emotional weight over analytical coverage.
Publication emphasis: The urgency of children’s safety as a consequence of domestic violence.
Framing analysis: The tragic consequence of the shootings is foregrounded, with emotional narratives about the victims’ families receiving secondary attention.
Bias: Selection: Focus on emotional aspects of the incident Language: Use of strong emotional adjectives Omission: Legal ramifications or discussions on policy response.
Assessment: CNN’s coverage emphasizes the horror of the incident, highlighting the broader implications for child safety amid domestic violence.
The Guardian – Mass shooting rampage in Louisiana leaves eight children dead and others wounded
Publication: The Guardian | Primary framing pattern: moral | Tone: somber | Intensity: 9/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: high
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Espresso Shot: The Guardian takes a moral stance, discussing the societal implications of gun violence, particularly affecting children. The article emphasizes the need for action and broader discussions on gun control and domestic violence.
Publication emphasis: The moral imperative to address gun violence and protect vulnerable populations.
Framing analysis: The moral implications of the tragedy are foregrounded, aiming to evoke a strong sense of responsibility among readers toward societal change.
Bias: Selection: Highlighting societal impacts and gun control Language: Emotional and persuasive terminology Omission: Less focus on details around the perpetrator.
Assessment: The Guardian effectively uses the tragedy to promote moral outrage and calls for legislative action regarding gun violence.
Le Monde.fr – Eight children dead in Louisiana domestic violence shooting, officials say
Publication: Le Monde.fr | Primary framing pattern: political | Tone: critical | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: moderate
Expand
Espresso Shot: Le Monde.fr critiques the circumstances surrounding the shootings, reflecting on political accountability and systemic failings in protective measures. It encourages a critical view of laws related to gun possession and domestic violence.
Publication emphasis: The political failure to protect children from domestic violence.
Framing analysis: Political accountability is the focus, foregrounding discussions about law enforcement and legislative shortcomings, while the human impact remains secondary.
Bias: Selection: Critique of political and legal structures Language: Critical, demanding accountability Omission: Victim narratives may receive less attention.
Assessment: Le Monde.fr effectively emphasizes the need for political accountability and systemic reform in the wake of such tragedies.
New York Post – Shamar Elkins named as Louisiana gunman who murdered 8 kids
Publication: New York Post | Primary framing pattern: legal | Tone: sensationalist | Intensity: 6/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: high
Expand
Espresso Shot: The New York Post reports on the identified shooter in a sensationalist manner, focusing on the legal proceedings and charges against the perpetrator, intertwining crime details with emotional descriptors of the victims’ suffering.
Publication emphasis: The legal ramifications surrounding the shooter and the crime.
Framing analysis: Legal aspects are prioritized, discussing potential consequences for the shooter, while emotional narratives of victims are somewhat submerged.
Bias: Selection: Heavy focus on shooter and legal context Language: Sensational titles to attract attention Omission: Broader societal implications of the shooting.
Assessment: The New York Post’s coverage gives prominence to the identity and future trials of the shooter, rather than detailing the implications of gun violence.
Food for thought
The Guardian employs the strongest legal framing by emphasizing the “domestic violence shooting,” presenting the tragedy through a lens of accountability and potential legal repercussions. In contrast, CNN adopts the most escalatory framing, depicting the incident as an “administrative crisis” within households, hinting at broader systemic failures without delving deeply into legal implications. The New York Post sensationalizes the narrative by focusing on the perpetrator, reinforcing public outrage and fear rather than encouraging critical dialogue about prevention. Each outlet highlights different aspects of the incident, guiding public perception along divergent paths. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
South Africa’s Gary Freeman killed by charging elephant during tourist tour
7:00 pm
Get you up to speed: South Africa’s Gary Freeman killed by charging elephant during tourist tour
Gary Freeman, co-owner of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, was killed by a charging elephant while leading a walking tour on April 9. He attempted to scare off the elephant with his firearm, but did not fire at it before being attacked.
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba of Limpopo Police reported that Gary Freeman was attacked by a female elephant while walking with tourists, despite attempts to scare it off with his revolver. Following the incident, emergency medical personnel were summoned, but Freeman was unfortunately certified dead upon their arrival.
A tribute from Klaserie Private Nature Reserve expressed that Gary Freeman’s “presence, kindness, and contribution to this landscape will be deeply missed by all who knew him.” The reserve also emphasised the importance of community support during this difficult time for his family, friends, and colleagues.
Safari park owner trampled to death by elephant in front of guided tour | News World
Gary Freeman had guided tours in the area for more than 30 years (Picture: Jamie Pyatt News Ltd)
The co-owner of a South African safari reserve was killed by a charging elephant while leading a walking tour.
Gary Freeman, who helped to run Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in the north-east of the country, is said to have previously told his guests he would rather die in an elephant attack than shoot one.
According to the Daily Mail, the 65-year-old tried to scare away the animal by pulling out his firearm but did not fire at it.
The group of four tourists on the trip helped him into the guide vehicle after the incident on April 9 but he soon ‘succumbed to his dreadful injuries’, a source told the newspaper.
Friends and colleagues of the experienced guide described him as a ‘true gentleman’ on social media.
A tribute from Klaserie reserve said: ‘His presence, kindness, and contribution to this landscape will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to Hanneke, his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected as they navigate this loss.
‘In moments like these, the strength of the Klaserie lies in its community — in supporting one another with care, compassion, and understanding.’
According to reports in South Africa, the elephant involved in the incident was a female.
The animals can reach 3 tons in weight and average at around 8ft 6in tall.
Male African elephants can reach around six tons, while females are half that size (Picture: Klaseriereserve.co.za)
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, a spokesman for Limpopo Police, said: ‘The deceased, who is the owner of the game reserve, was touring with the tourists and at some point alighted from their vehicle and walked on foot.
‘As the group were walking an elephant suddenly emerged and charged at him. He tried to scare it off with the revolver he was carrying but he was ultimately attacked by the elephant.
‘The driver and tracker together with other tourists took him to a safe place and summoned the emergency medical personnel. Upon their arrival, he was unfortunately certified dead.
‘There is no evidence that suggests the firearm was used.’
Mr Freeman was leading the tour along the banks of the Klaserie River at the time (Picture: Claire Galaway – Insidehook)
Gary Freeman Safaris was founded in 1993, according to its website, and specialises in wilderness walking tours.
A description says: ‘The objective of the trail is to expose the trailists to the game reserve environment, looking at all aspects, both large and small.
‘Time is spent unravelling the intricacies of the bush and admiring many of the smaller species that would otherwise be overlooked if traveling in a vehicle.’
Mr Freeman had been involved in environmental education for almost 40 years, starting in 1987.
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Pope Leo XIV addresses Angola’s leaders on corruption and history
6:00 pm
Pope Leo XIV addresses Angola’s leaders on corruption and history
Papal visit
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address to Angola’s governing authorities, emphasising the need to heal the “wound of corruption” during his visit to the nation.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address to Angola’s governing authorities, emphasising the need to heal the “wound of corruption” during his visit to the nation.
Resource Wealth
Angola ranks as Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer and the third-largest diamond producer globally, despite over 30% of its population living on less than €1.83 a day.
Angola ranks as Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer and the third-largest diamond producer globally, despite over 30% of its population living on less than €1.83 a day.
Papal Appeal
“We can and want to build a country where the old divisions are overcome for good, where hatred and violence disappear,” stated Pope Leo XIV during his address in Angola.
“We can and want to build a country where the old divisions are overcome for good, where hatred and violence disappear,” stated Pope Leo XIV during his address in Angola.
Key developments
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Angola emphasised the need to address the country’s corruption, as he warned that “this cycle of vested interests must be broken,” addressing the governance challenges faced by the nation.
During a meeting with President João Lourenço, the pontiff highlighted Angola’s rich natural resources but noted that despite this wealth, over 30% of its population lives on less than €1.83 a day, reflecting significant socio-economic disparities.
Lourenço acknowledged the complexities of improving public welfare, asserting his government’s commitment to addressing these challenges while calling for international support to end ongoing conflicts, such as the war in Iran.
Pope Leo XIV heads to shrine in Angola that was a center of African slave trade
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Angola, an oil- and mineral-rich country in south-west Africa, marked the third leg of his tour of four African nations.
On Saturday, after meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço, the Pope delivered his first address to Angola’s governing authorities, repeatedly referring to the country’s turbulent history, scarred by colonial plunder and civil war.
“I wish to meet you in a spirit of peace and to affirm that your people possess treasures that can neither be bought nor stolen,” the Holy Father warned.
“You know well that, all too often, people have looked – and continue to look – to your lands in order to give, or, more frequently, to take,” Pope Leo XIV told the Angolan authorities.
Angola is currently Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer and ranks among the world’s 20 biggest producers, according to the International Energy Agency. The country is also the third-largest diamond producer in the world and has significant deposits of gold and highly sought-after critical minerals.
Yet despite its abundant natural resources, the World Bank estimated in 2023 that more than 30% of the population was living on less than €1,83 a day.
“This cycle of vested interests must be broken, which reduces reality and even life itself to mere commodities,” the Holy Father told Angola’s leaders.
After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola plunged into a brutal civil war that lasted 27 years.
After João Lourenço took office in 2017, his administration estimated that at least €20 billion had been stolen or embezzled by former Presdient José Eduardo dos Santos. Lourenço’s government pledged to tackle corruption and has been working to recover funds allegedly looted during the dos Santos family era.
But critics say Angola still faces serious corruption problems and question whether João Lourenço’s actions have been aimed more at sidelining political rivals in order to consolidate his power.
Standing alongside Pope Leo XIV, Angola’s president said his government was committed to improving people’s lives but that this was a “complex and difficult challenge”. João Lourenço also called for an end to the war in Iran and urged the Pope to continue using his “moral authority” to promote peace and understanding among peoples.
Muxima visit: highlight of Pope Leo XIV Angola trip
In Kilamba, at Sunday morning Mass, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace in Ukraine and across the Middle East. Speaking in Portuguese, the Holy Father called for an end to corruption in Angola by healing the “wound of corruption”.
“We can and want to build a country where the old divisions are overcome for good, where hatred and violence disappear, where the wound of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing,” he said, according to the Ecclesia news agency.
After Mass in Kilamba, on the outskirts of Luanda, the Pope traveled to Muxima, in what is considered the highlight of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Angola. The Holy Father prayed the rosary at the Mamã Muxima (Mother of the Heart) church, a popular Catholic shrine in a country where around 44% of the population is Catholic.
Angola was widely regarded as the epicentre of the transatlantic slave trade. Angola was regarded as the epicentre of the trade in enslaved people. It is estimated that more than 5 million enslaved Africans were shipped across the ocean on Portuguese vessels.
Described as “the largest Catholic pilgrimage centre in Southern Africa and a symbol of popular devotion in Angola.”, Muxima remains a place that speaks to the complex relationship between Roman Catholicism and the exploitation of the African continent.
Born in the United States, Robert Francis Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) has both Black and white ancestry, including forebears who were both enslaved people and slave owners, according to genealogical research.
The pontiff is going to Muxima on Sunday afternoon to pray the rosary, in recognition of the fact that the site became a popular pilgrimage destination after worshippers reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary there around 1833.
Additional sources • AP, Vatican News, Ecclesia
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