During his Apostolic Journey to Angola, Pope Leo XIV visited a care home for the elderly in the northeastern city of Saurimo, offering a message centered on dignity, forgiveness, and the presence of Christ among the most vulnerable.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father spent time with residents at a government-run facility known locally as “Lar,” meaning “home,” where dozens of elderly men and women live in a shared community. He expressed gratitude for their warm reception and emphasized the importance of fostering a true family spirit within such homes.
Drawing from the Gospel, the Pope reminded those present that Christ is not distant, but close—especially in daily acts of charity and reconciliation. “He dwells among you whenever you try to love one another and help one another as brothers and sisters,” the Pope said. He added that Christ is also present “when all of you, or even some of you, pray together with simplicity and humility.”
The visit carried a broader message about society’s moral responsibility toward its weakest members. The Pope stressed that how a nation treats its elderly reflects its deeper values. “The care of the weakest is a very important sign of the quality of the social life of a nation,” he said, according to Vatican News.
He also encouraged a deeper appreciation for the elderly, not only as recipients of care, but as bearers of wisdom. “Let us not forget that the elderly are not only in need of assistance, but first and foremost need to be listened to, because they preserve the wisdom of a people,” he said.
The care home itself reflects both the challenges and hopes of the local community. Its director noted that residents often maintain small gardens and gather for Mass, even among those who are not Catholic. The local Church remains actively involved, offering both spiritual and material support.
At the conclusion of his visit, Pope Leo entrusted the elderly residents to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, underscoring the Church’s enduring call to honor, protect, and uplift every human life—especially those most often forgotten.
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