Pope Leo decries 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 kilometres over 18 flights.

Read More: A new, forceful Pope Leo steps onto the world stage

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.

On Saturday, the 70-year-old pontiff decried the exploitation of ‌natural resources ⁠in Africa by "despots and tyrants". Last Thursday, he said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants".

The pope told journalists on Sunday that his speeches during the tour were written weeks ago and not aimed directly at Trump. He has strongly criticised the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which began on February 28.

Enthusiastic crowds

Crowds in Angola, ​where 80% of the population ​identifies as Christian, and ⁠about half of them as Catholic, have been enthusiastic for Leo, with people lining streets along his routes and dancing and screaming to greet him.

Two events on Sunday, ​a Mass attended by throngs in a dirt field and a prayer at a ​site that ⁠was once a hub for transatlantic slavery, drew roughly 130,000 people.

Monday is Leo's last full day in Angola. He heads on Tuesday to Equatorial Guinea, the final leg of his Africa tour.

He will give a speech there to the country's ⁠political leaders ​after meeting with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been ​in power since 1979, making him the world's longest-serving president.

Equatorial Guinea is widely criticised as one of the most repressive countries in the region. ​The government denies allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.

Pope Leo downplays feud with Trump

Leo sought to downplay his feud with Trump, saying reporting about comments he has made so ​far during his Africa tour "has not been accurate in all its aspects".

Speaking to reporters ‌in English aboard his flight to Angola, he said comments he made two days earlier in Cameroon, decrying that the world was being "ravaged by a ​handful of tyrants", were not aimed at Trump.

Also Read: 'Handful of tyrants' ravaging world: Pope

That speech, said Leo, "was prepared two weeks ago, ​well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of ⁠peace that I am promoting".

Vice President JD Vance, who had criticised the pope's remarks last week, ​welcomed his latest comments.