João Lourenço

Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo agreed to build a 1,450-kilometer power transmission line valued at $1.5 billion, connecting Angola's hydroelectric surplus to Congo's mining sector, reducing diesel dependency and enabling regional economic integration across Central Africa.

Pope Leon XIV criticized authoritarian leaders in Angola for exploiting natural resources, stating that diamond wealth benefits only a few while one-third of Angolans live in extreme poverty, demanding equitable resource distribution.

Pope Leo denounced African despots exploiting natural resources and breaking promises during his Angola visit, highlighting how extractivism causes suffering and deaths while calling leaders to prioritize people over corporate interests.