Pope Leo XIV Visits Angolan Chapel Tied to Slave Trade Amid Ancestry Revelations

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Angola as part of his first papal trip to Africa, visiting a Catholic chapel connected to the slave trade. The pontiff, elected in 2025, stated at the start of the trip that he decided in May of that year to make Africa his initial destination. The visit highlights themes of exploitation, corruption, and authoritarian regimes, according to Vatican announcements.

The chapel in Muxima became a pilgrimage site despite its ties to immoral acts during the slave trade era. Historians note that some of the first slaves arriving in Louisiana originated from Angola. The pope has not commented publicly on these historical links.

U.S. genealogist uncovered last year that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, has Creole heritage. Census records from Louisiana describe his maternal great-grandparents as people of color. The research showed his Black and white ancestors included both enslaved people and slave owners.

This revelation adds layers to the pope's visit, as Angola bears scars from slavery and colonialism. The country was a Portuguese colony until 1975, followed by a 27-year civil war that killed over half a million people.

Candido, a history professor at Emory University in Atlanta, described the complexity of a site linked to slavery becoming a sacred place.

She said the visit could connect the church with how Catholicism is practiced in Angola and other African countries.