Ghana has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historical role in slavery, describing it as an “act of moral courage” and an important contribution to the global pursuit of “truth, human dignity and justice.”
The apology, regarded as the clearest acknowledgement yet by the Catholic Church of its role in legitimising slavery and delaying condemnation of the practice for centuries, was published on Monday in Pope Leo’s first major teaching document since the start of his papacy.
The papal document, an encyclical titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”), focused largely on the dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI), but also confronted the Church’s historical complicity in slavery.
In a statement released late Tuesday, Ghana’s government said the Pope’s recognition of the painful past represented a significant step towards healing and reconciliation.
“The apology reinforces the growing global understanding that confronting historical injustices demands truth-telling and moral responsibility as essential foundations for justice and reconciliation,” the statement said.
Ghana, which served as a major hub during the transatlantic slave trade, has been at the forefront of calls for reparations and formal apologies from Western countries over slavery.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and the Americas, with around two million dying during the journey.
In the encyclical, Pope Leo offered what he described as a sincere apology on behalf of the Catholic Church.
“It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many,” the Pope wrote.
He acknowledged that Church authorities had at times responded to the demands of rulers by “regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of [non-Christians].”
The Pope also admitted that ecclesiastical institutions owned slaves during parts of the Middle Ages.
“This constitutes a wound in Christian memory,” he stated.
Pope Leo recently concluded an 11-day, four-nation visit to Africa — his first trip to the continent as pontiff — during which he strongly criticised foreign exploitation of Africa’s natural wealth for profit.
Ghana said the Pope’s acknowledgment of the “painful history” was especially significant at a time when the international community was engaging in “deeper reflection” on the enduring impact of slavery and colonialism.
Earlier this year, Ghana successfully spearheaded the adoption of a United Nations resolution recognising the enslavement of Africans as the “gravest crime against humanity.”
The resolution, submitted by Ghanaian President John Mahama and backed by the African Union, seeks to establish a framework for healing and reparations, while addressing the long-term effects of slavery, including racial discrimination and inequality.
Ghana, home to several historic slave forts where captives were detained in harsh conditions before being shipped to the Americas by European powers, is expected to host an international conference in June to discuss next steps following the UN resolution.
Human Rights Watch also reacted to the Pope’s apology on Tuesday, describing it as an important development while insisting that words alone were insufficient.
The rights group said genuine reparative justice required more concrete action, adding that religious institutions, governments and corporations that benefited from slavery should “reckon seriously” with their histories and participate meaningfully in reparative efforts.
Boluwatife Enome
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