Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and president of SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), has positively valued Pope Leo XIV’s recent trip to Africa, highlighting its impact both on the ecclesial and social levels. In statements reported on April 23, the archbishop emphasized that the visit has placed the African continent at the center of the Church’s attention.
As he explained, the trip has been perceived as a gesture of confidence from the Pontiff toward Africa, which, in his view, also implies a responsibility for the faithful on the continent. “The Pope has come to us, which means he trusts us,” he noted, adding that this trust must translate into concrete commitment on the part of the local Church.
A message centered on dignity and interior transformation
Ambongo highlighted that, throughout his journey, Leo XIV insisted on issues such as freedom, equality, and the dignity of the human person. He also emphasized the need for these messages not to remain on a theoretical level, but to produce real transformation in the lives of the faithful and communities.
In this sense, the cardinal stated that it now falls to the Church in Africa to welcome those words and make them bear fruit in social and ecclesial life.
Call to deepen Catholic faith
Along with the social aspects, Ambongo placed emphasis on the spiritual dimension of the trip. As he explained, the Pope has invited the faithful to deepen their faith, not only as a cultural identity, but as an authentic experience of Christianity.
The prelate insisted on the importance of African Catholics living their faith coherently, in a context where multiple religious confessions coexist.
Africa at the center of the Church
For Cardinal Ambongo, Leo XIV’s trip has also had symbolic value in placing Africa in a prominent position within the universal Church. As he affirmed, this visit has contributed to strengthening the sense of belonging and the responsibility of African Catholics in the Church’s mission.