Pope Leo XIV has begun a 10-day tour of four African countries, urging global leaders to prioritise the needs of the continent, home to more than a fifth of the world’s Catholic population.
The tour, which commenced on Monday, will see the pontiff visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, covering 11 cities and towns over nearly 18,000 kilometres across 18 flights.
According to senior Vatican official Michael Czerny, the visit is aimed at drawing international focus to Africa’s challenges and opportunities.
The Pope, who has been vocal on global issues including the ongoing tensions involving Iran, is undertaking one of the most complex papal trips in recent decades. Since his election in May, he has made limited international visits, including trips to Turkey, Lebanon, and Monaco.
At 70, Pope Leo is considered relatively young and in good health, factors that have enabled him to embark on the demanding यात्रा.
More than 20 per cent of the global Catholic population resides in Africa, with the three sub-Saharan countries on his itinerary having majority Catholic populations. In contrast, Algeria is predominantly Muslim, with fewer than 10,000 Catholics among its roughly 48 million people. This marks the first time the country will host a Catholic pope.
During the visit, the Pope is expected to deliver 25 speeches addressing a range of issues, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. Key topics are expected to include the exploitation of natural resources, interfaith dialogue, and concerns over political corruption.
The tour will also include engagements in countries where long-serving leaders have faced criticism over human rights concerns, though such allegations have been denied by the governments involved.
One of the major highlights of the trip is expected in the coastal city of Douala, where an estimated 600,000 people are anticipated to attend a Mass led by the Pope.
The pontiff, who is fluent in several languages, is expected to address audiences in Italian, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish throughout the trip.
In Algeria, Pope Leo is scheduled to meet political leaders and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers—only his second visit to a mosque as pope—before travelling to Annaba to visit the ancient ruins of Hippo Regius.
The historic site holds deep significance for the Pope, who belongs to the Augustinian order inspired by the teachings of Augustine of Hippo.
The tour marks the 24th papal visit to Africa since the late 1960s and is expected to reinforce the Catholic Church’s engagement with the continent on both spiritual and socio-political issues.
