Faith Nyasuguta
Pope Leo XIV is set to begin a 10-day tour of Africa on April 13, marking his first pastoral visit to the continent since becoming head of the Catholic Church, the Vatican has confirmed.
The trip will take him to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. It signals what observers describe as a clear acknowledgment of Africa’s growing importance to global Catholicism, with the continent now home to roughly 20 percent of the world’s Catholics.
In Cameroon, the pontiff is expected to visit the capital Yaounde, the commercial hub Douala, and Bamenda in the country’s conflict-affected Northwest region, where unrest has persisted for nearly a decade. Church leaders say papal visits to areas facing hardship often aim to deliver encouragement and solidarity to affected communities.
Algeria will mark a historic stop: it will be the first time a pope has visited the predominantly Muslim nation. The country also holds spiritual significance for Leo XIV, as it is the birthplace of St. Augustine of Hippo. The pope, a member of the Augustinian order, has previously emphasized interfaith dialogue and expressed interest in strengthening Christian-Muslim engagement there.
Although this will be his first official pastoral trip to Africa as pope, Leo XIV is familiar with the continent. Before his election, as Cardinal Robert Prevost, he traveled to several African nations, including Kenya and Tanzania.
The visit follows his inaugural foreign trip last year to Turkey and Lebanon, where he appealed for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East. His Africa tour continues a recent pattern of papal outreach to regions facing social or political strain.
The most recent papal visit to Africa occurred in February 2023, when Pope Francis traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
While the Vatican has yet to release the full official program, reports indicate that the tour will include stops in Algiers and Annaba in Algeria; Yaounde, Douala, and Bamenda in Cameroon; Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo in Angola; and Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata in Equatorial Guinea.
The April 13–23 journey is expected to combine religious ceremonies, meetings with political leaders, and engagements with local communities – showcasing Africa’s expanding role in the life of the global Church.
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