“A builder of bridges”: Apostolic Nuncio in Angola Weighs in on Start of Pope Leo XIV’s Pontificate

On May 8 evening, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where the 133 Cardinal Electors had been gathering since the previous day for the 2025 Conclave. 

The white smoke signalled that the 133 Cardinal Electors had elected the successor of St. Peter to take over from the late Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, April 21 and was laid to rest on April 26 in his “beloved” Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he had explained in his testament.

When the new Pontiff appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he addressed the people of God present in person and all those, who were watching around the world, offering his first blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) as the new Roman pontiff.

In his first address as Pope, the 69-year-old American-born member of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) asked the people of God to help the Church build bridges through dialogue and encounter, working for unity and peace.

The newly elected Pontiff has explained his choice of Papal name, noting that Pope Leo XIII “addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution” with his May 1891 Encyclical Letter on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum.

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“In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labor,” Pope Leo XIV said.

In the May 10 press conference, Archbishop Dubiel reflected on the Pope’s first words to the world, “Peace be with you”, as a sign of his pastoral and bridge-building approach to leadership. 

“These words echo the message of the Risen Christ to the apostles, conveying a message of hope and reconciliation,” the Vatican diplomat in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe said. 

Amid global tensions and humanitarian crises, including forced migration and protracted armed conflicts, Archbishop Dubiel said the Holy Father’s commitment to peace will be central to the Vatican’s engagement with the world.

“Pope Leo XIV is attentive to these issues and seeks, through ecclesiastical diplomacy, to promote peaceful and humanitarian solutions,” the Apostolic Nuncio said.

He continued, “Peace cannot be bought like a product. Peace must be desired and created. This is important, because today we may speak of peace, peace, but true peace can be created by each one of us.”

In the May 10 press conference, Archbishop Dubiel weighed in the link between Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, known for his May 1891 Encyclical Letter on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum.

“The new Pope will continue to promote human dignity, social justice, and solidarity—especially in times of growing inequality and injustice,” the native of Poland’s Catholic Diocese of Przemyśl said.

He expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV would visit Angola in the near future, noting that such a Papal visit would be an encouragement for the Church, strengthening faith and commitment to the evangelizing mission.

“The Pope’s visit would be an opportunity to strengthen relations between the Church and the Angolan State. A papal visit would contribute to the peace and prosperity of Angola,” Archbishop Dubiel told journalists during the May 10 press conference in Luanda, Angola.

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João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.