Pope Leo XIV wants to turn the world's attention to Africa, according to a senior Vatican official, as he embarks on a significant tour of the continent addressing themes of peace, migration, and dialogue between religions.
The 11-day trip, which starts on Monday, is Pope Leo's second major foreign visit since being elected to the papacy in May last year, and is a reflection of Africa's increasing importance to Catholicism.
More than a fifth of the world's Catholics are in Africa, some 288 million people, according to figures from 2024. It is one of the fastest-growing regions for the Church.
The Vatican says its latest survey shows a remarkable increase in the number of baptised Catholics on the continent, making this trip a personal priority for Pope Leo.
The wide-ranging tour begins in Algeria, a country with significant historical ties to Christianity as the birthplace of St. Augustine. The Pope aims to engage with both Christians and the local Muslim communities, particularly at sites of interfaith significance like the Great Mosque of Algiers.
The journey will take him across four countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—a trek that includes nearly 18,000 kilometers of travel and numerous public Masses.
After Algeria, where authorities are facing scrutiny over religious freedoms, the Pope will address the ongoing ethnic conflict in Cameroon during a Mass for peace at an airport in Bamenda. This comes amid reports of serious human rights abuses in the region.
In Angola, the focus will be on social justice and healing after decades of civil war. Finally, Equatorial Guinea will see Pope Leo engage with both authorities and grassroots movements as he also visits young people and marginalized communities.
By prioritizing Africa, Pope Leo XIV not only acknowledges the continent's growing role in global Catholicism but also highlights the challenges and hopes of its diverse communities.
