Leo, who has been attacked repeatedly by President Donald Trump this week after the pope criticised the Iran ​war, will arrive from Cameroon, where on Thursday he said the world was “being ravaged by ​a handful of tyrants”.

The first US pope was due to arrive in ⁠Luanda, Angola’s capital, around 3pm (1400 GMT).

Before leaving Cameroon, Leo celebrated a farewell Mass in ​the capital, Yaounde, urging participants not to lose hope despite the challenges faced by the ​Central African country, which include a simmering conflict in its two anglophone regions that has killed thousands.

“In moments when we seem to be sinking, overcome by adverse forces, when everything appears bleak … Jesus is with us ​always, stronger than any power of evil,” said the pontiff.

“In every storm, he comes to ​us and repeats: ‘I am here with you: do not be afraid’,” said Leo.

Angola faces poverty despite oil wealth

In ‌Angola ⁠, later on Saturday, the pope was due to meet President João Lourenço before addressing the country’s political leaders.

After decades of bloody conflict in the 20th century, Angola became one of the leading oil-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa, with the sector accounting for some 95% of its exports.

Its ​population of 36.6 million ​people is still confronting ⁠extreme poverty, with more than 30% living on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.

More than half of the country identifies ​as Catholic.

Leo, originally from Chicago, kept a relatively low profile for ​a pope ⁠in his first 10 months, but in recent weeks has become outspoken on a range of issues.

He has issued sharp denunciations of war and inequality on the ambitious, 10-day Africa tour.

Crowds greeting ⁠the pope ​on his visit to Cameroon were enthusiastic, including an estimated ​120,000 people who attended a Mass on Friday in Douala, lining the streets along his routes and wearing colourful ​fabrics featuring images of his face.