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Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe Bishops Create Special Commissions for Pope Leo XIV’s Anticipated Visit

Credit: Vatican Media/Radio Ecclesia
João Vissesse

By João Vissesse

Luanda, 02 February, 2026 / 6:06 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) have established a series of special commissions to coordinate preparations for the anticipated visit of Pope Leo XIV to Angola, aiming to ensure a well-structured and efficient organization of the papal trip.

In a decree issued on January 31, CEAST President, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, announces Ad Hoc working commissions tasked with overseeing all aspects of the papal visit, including logistics, communication, liturgy, protocol, transport, health services, and fundraising.

According to the decree, the overall coordination will be led by Bishop Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti of Angola’s Cabinda Diocese, assisted by Bishop António Lungieki Pedro Bengui, Auxiliary Bishop of Launda Archdiocese, along with Fr. Apolônio Graciano and Fr. Antero João Beji dos Reis. 

The team is responsible for supervising all activities and ensuring coordination among the various subcommissions.

An advisory commission has also been created, composed of Valter Filipe Duarte da Silva, Alcides Piedoso Ferreira Chivango, Álvaro Pereira, Carlos Hilário António, and Gonçalves António Vieira, who will provide strategic and consultative support to the general coordination.

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The decree further establishes a fundraising commission, led by Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda, with support from Edna Somara Esteves de Almeida, to mobilize financial and logistical resources for the visit.

Logistical arrangements are to be handled by the logistics commission, coordinated by Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of the Catholic Diocese of Caxito, and assisted by Archbishop Luzizila Kiala of the Catholic Archdiocese of Malanje, alongside clergy and religious members responsible for transport, accommodation, meals, and other logistical needs.

Communication and media coverage will fall under the communication commission, chaired by Bishop António Francisco Jaca of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Benguela, with Sr. Elisabete Corazza serving as spokesperson. The commission includes senior personnel from Rádio Ecclesia and other media professionals charged with official communication and event coverage.

Liturgical celebrations during the papal visit are to be organized by the Liturgy commission, under the coordination of Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo of the Catholic Diocese of Viana, while protocol matters, including the reception of authorities and ceremonial arrangements, are to be handled by a Protocol Commission led by Edna Somara Esteves de Almeida.

Additional commissions include a secretariat and archives team, responsible for documentation, a transport commission overseeing all internal and external movements, and a health commission tasked with medical services and health protocols throughout the visit.

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The CEAST decree comes weeks after the Apostolic Nunciature in Luanda announced the Pope’s visit.

On January 14, President João Lourenço signed a presidential order establishing government commissions to work closely with the Church before, during, and after the visit.

The presidential order created a government-led commission coordinated by the Minister of State for the Social Area, Maria do Rosário Bragança, bringing together ministers, provincial governors, presidential secretaries, and the Commander of the Presidential Security Unit. 

The commission is mandated to ensure the necessary material and protocol conditions for the papal visit and to work in close coordination with CEAST and the Apostolic Nunciature.

João Vissesse

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

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