Ghana welcomes Pope's apology over Catholic Church's role in slavery

The West African nation was one of the main gateways for the transatlantic slave trade. Ghana welcomes Pope Leo XIV's apology over Catholic Church's role in slavery Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The Pope described Church's role in slavery as a "wound in Christian memory" Pope Leo, in his white papal robe and skullcap Ghana welcomes Pope's apology over Catholic Church's role in slavery Ghana has welcomed Pope Leo XIV's apology for the Catholic Church's historic role in slavery, describing it as an "act of moral courage" that was important in the global pursuit of "truth, human dignity and justice". The Pope issued the clearest apology yet for the Church's involvement in legitimising slavery and its delay in condemning it for centuries. The apology was published on Monday in the Pope's first major teaching document of his papacy, which also focused on the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). The apology was published on Monday in the Pope's first major teaching document of his papacy, which also focused on the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) Ghana was a major hub for the transatlantic slave trade when millions of people were captured and loaded on to ships, never to return home. Between the 16th and 19th Centuries, 12-15 million Africans were shipped to the Caribbean, with about two million dying during the journey. Ghana has long been leading efforts for compensation and apologies from Western nations for the slave trade. Close up of statue showing liberation from slavery on Goree Island in Senegal. It is a man from shoulders up, with his arms raised, holding a broken chain in his hands which is still attached to his wrists. The statue also includes the figure of a woman standing in front of the man - all that is visible of her is the back of her head, and she has a head wrap on. 'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean? The West African nation's government said the Pope's recognition of the painful past was an important step towards healing, reconciliation and a just society. ''[The apology] reinforces the growing global understanding that confronting historical injustices demands truth-telling and moral responsibility as essential foundations for justice and reconciliation,'' its statement, released late on Tuesday, said. The Pope's apology was delivered in what is known as a encyclical - technically a letter to Catholic bishops, but which over recent decades have been how a pontiff passes on messages to the world. In the papal letter - titled "Magnifica Humanitas" ("Magnificent Humanity") - Pope Leo sincerely asked for a pardon in the name of the Church, adding that it was "impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many". Leo said Church authorities had at times responded to requests of rulers by "regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of of [non-Christians]". He also acknowledged that earlier in the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical institutions had their own slaves. "This constitutes a wound in Christian memory," he said of the Church's record. In April, Pope Leo completed a 11-day, four-nation of Africa - his first visit to the continent as pontiff - and where he made several forthright remarks including lashing out at foreigners who exploit Africa's wealth for profit. In April, Pope Leo completed a 11-day, four-nation of Africa - his first visit to the continent as pontiff - and where he made several forthright remarks including lashing out at foreigners who exploit Africa's wealth for profit Pope Leo visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in April Crowds surrounding Pope Leo's white vehicle after he landed in Yaoundé, Cameroon Ghana said the Pope's acknowledgment of the "painful history" was significant, at a time the world was having a "deeper reflection" on the effects of slavery and colonialism. The country successfully pushed for a UN resolution in March, which recognised the enslavement of Africans as the "gravest crime against humanity". Submitted by Ghana's President John Mahama and backed by the African Union, it aims to provide a pathway to healing and the payment of reparations. It also seeks to address the enduring consequences of slavery like inequality and racial discrimination. Ghana, which still has some of the forts that were used for holding captives under inhuman conditions as they waited to be shipped to the Americas by European powers, is due to host a conference in June to discuss the next steps following the adoption of the UN resolution. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said the Pope's apology marked an important step, but stressed apologies alone were not enough and that real reparative justice needed to go further. Religious institutions, along with states and corporations that benefited from slavery, should "reckon seriously" with their histories and take part in reparative efforts, the rights group added. A black and white sketch of three slaves being restrained UN votes to recognise enslavement of Africans as 'gravest crime against humanity' Confronting my family’s slave-owning past 'First English slave fort in Africa' uncovered A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The Wiener Holocaust Library exhibition examines how forced labour became central to the Nazi war economy. The apology was adopted at the church's General Assembly in Edinburgh on Saturday. Two people are arrested as police recover bullion and cash worth nearly £190,000 in Hull. It follows recent protests that have led to fears there could be a resurgence in xenophobic violence. An outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo involves a rare species of the virus and is in an area affected by conflict. 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