In Angola, Pope Leo reflects on authentic faith, warns against superstition

On the eighth day of his 11-day apostolic journey across Africa, Pope Leo XIV visited a home for the elderly and celebrated Mass in Saurimo, Angola, where he encouraged the faithful to live as witnesses of authentic faith rooted in hope rather than superstition or self-interest. 

Pope Leo reflected April 20 on the residence as a true “home,” noting that Christ is present wherever people live in charity, forgiveness, and prayer, according to the Holy See Press Office. He added that the Lord remains “among [them]” in moments of shared love and reconciliation.

In his homily later that day, the Pope reflected on John’s Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves, focusing on Christ’s teachings that followed. He said that while the crowd followed him as a means to an end seeking material gain, He lovingly redirected them toward the “bread of life” that endures for eternity. He added that the Lord does not reject this initial, self-interested pursuit, but “encourages its conversion” toward genuine faith.

He emphasized that Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel passage, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life,” is not to disregard daily needs but to seek the bread of life that sustains forever.

The Holy Father also highlighted that Jesus is not merely a “good luck charm,” warning genuine faith can be distorted when it is reduced to superstition or treated as a means to personal gain.

He said that when faith is reduced in this way, people approach the Lord for “advantageous” reasons, rather than responding to the deeper call of friendship with him. He said Christ instead calls people into a relationship rooted in love and self-giving.

“Christ calls us to freedom,” Pope Leo said, “he does not want servants or clients, rather he seeks brothers and sisters to whom he can totally dedicate himself. To respond with faith to this love, it is not enough to hear Jesus speak: one must accept the meaning of his words.”

He also said true faith flows from recognizing Christ’s self-giving love, which leads to a deeper union with him.

“When in the sign of shared bread we see the will of the Savior,” Pope Leo said, “who gives himself for us, only then do we draw closer to a true encounter with Jesus, which become discipleship, mission and service.”

Addressing the violence and injustice seen throughout the world, Pope Leo said that Christ responds to this brokenness through His steadfast love.

“In the face of these evils,” Pope Leo said, “Christ hears the cry of the people and renews our history by lifting us up from every fall, comforting us in every suffering and encouraging us in our mission.”

The Pope urged the faithful to keep the Gospel in their hearts and to remain courageous in the face of difficulty, reminding them that “the Lord always walks with us.” 

Concluding his homily, Pope Leo again said the faithful are sustained by the “Bread of Life” as they continue the Church’s journey toward the Kingdom of God, adding that the Church of Angola continues to bear spiritual fruit.