Pope Leo XIV condemned the "logic of extractivism" during the first day of his visit to Angola on April 18, 2026 [1].

The Pontiff's critique targets the systemic reliance on raw material exports in resource-rich nations. By addressing these policies in Angola, a major oil producer, the Pope is linking spiritual leadership with a direct challenge to the economic models that often prioritize profit over people.

During his first public event, the Pope denounced the social and environmental disasters linked to a "logic of extractivism" [1]. He warned that such models frequently lead to the degradation of nature and the marginalization of the poor. The Pontiff called for a shift toward integral human development, which balances economic growth with social equity, and environmental protection [1, 4].

Leo XIV also addressed the political dimensions of resource wealth. He said he spoke against "despots and tyrants" who guarantee wealth but do not deliver it to the population [2]. This critique highlights the gap between national resource wealth and the lived reality of the citizens in Southern Africa.

The Pope urged Angolan leaders and citizens to "put the common good before partisan interests" [6]. He said that breaking the cycle of plundering is necessary for the country to achieve sustainable stability [5].

Throughout his remarks, the Pontiff emphasized that the exploitation of natural resources should not come at the cost of human dignity. He said that the current path of development is often exploitative and fails to serve the broader population [1, 4].

“"Put the common good before partisan interests"”

This visit signals an expansion of the Vatican's focus on 'integral ecology,' moving from general environmental warnings to specific critiques of the extractive industries in the Global South. By explicitly naming 'extractivism' in Angola, Pope Leo XIV is positioning the Church as a critic of the economic structures that allow resource wealth to be concentrated among political elites while the environment and the poor suffer.