Pope Leo urged Angolans on Sunday to overcome divisions after decades of bloody conflict in an address to an estimated 100,000 people who flocked to a Mass in a field near the capital Luanda.

In one of the biggest events of his four-nation Africa tour, the pope called Angola, which experienced a bloody, 27-year civil war from 1975 to 2002, a "beautiful yet wounded country."

Large crowds gathered on Sunday in a field in Kilamba close to Angola's capital Luanda for the Mass in what is expected to be one of the biggest events of his Africa tour.

The Vatican had said some 200,000 people might throng the Kilamba area, a sprawling urban development near the capital, to hear an address from the pope, who has become outspoken on wars and inequality.

Some Angolans had arrived in the early morning in hot, humid conditions to ensure they could see the pontiff in person.

"The pope coming here is a joy," said Sister Christina Matende, who arrived around 6 a.m. (0500 GMT). "We are living in a moment of a lot of difficulties and we are waiting for the blessing of the pope."

Exploitation of African resources

Angola is one of the leading oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 36.6 million. More than half of the country identifies as Catholic.

Leo, the first US pope, is visiting Angola on the third leg of a four-nation Africa tour. In a speech to the country's political leaders on Saturday, he once again decried the exploitation of natural resources on the continent.

The pope blasted "despots and tyrants" who he said guarantee wealth but do not deliver on their promises, leading to suffering and deaths.

He also urged political leaders to focus on helping all their people, and not just corporate interests.

"History will then vindicate you, even if in the near term some may oppose you," he said.

Pope Leo had visited Algeria and Cameroon and is expected to end his trip in Equatorial Guinea this week.