Pope Leo in Angola Mass Homily (20 April 2026): The Easter witness, therefore,certainly pertains to Christ, the crucified one who is risen, but it also pertains even to us because in him the proclamation of our resurrection finds its voice. We did notcome into the world to die. We were not born to become slaves either to thecorruption of the flesh or that of the soul: every form of oppression, violence, exploitation and dishonesty negates the resurrection of Christ, the supreme gift of our freedom. This liberation from death, in fact, does not happen only at the end of our days, but every day of our lives. What must we do to welcome such a gift? The Gospel itself teaches us: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (Jn 6:29). Yes, let us believe! Today, let us say it together with strength and with gratitude to you, Lord Jesus. We want to follow you and serve you in our neighbour: your word is our rule of life, the measure of truth. “The Church proclaims the Good News of Christ not only by the proclamation of the Word which she has received from the Lord, but also by the witness of life, thanks to which Christ’s disciples bear witness to the faith, hope and love which dwell in them” (ibid., 55, 55). Sharing the Eucharist, the bread of eternal life, we are called to serve our people with a dedication that lifts up all who have fallen, rebuilds whenever violence destroys and shares with joy our fraternal bonds. Through us, the initiatives of divine grace bear good fruit especially in adversity, as the example of the first martyr Stephen shows us (cf. Acts 6: 8-15).