Pope Leo XIV has begun his first major foreign tour since becoming head of the Catholic Church, embarking on an 11-day visit to four African countries focused on peace, interfaith dialogue, and social justice.
The tour will take him to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, covering more than 18,000 kilometres and featuring several speeches, Masses, and meetings with political and religious leaders.
In Algeria, the pope is expected to make history as the first pontiff to visit the North African nation, where Islam is the state religion.
He is scheduled to visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, hold discussions with government officials, and offer private prayers in honour of missionaries killed during the country’s civil war.
The visit is also expected to emphasize interfaith dialogue and religious coexistence.
In Cameroon, attention will focus on efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in regions affected by long-running conflict, particularly in the English-speaking northwest.
A major public Mass is planned in Bamenda, alongside visits to Catholic institutions such as schools, hospitals, and charities.
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The pontiff’s visit to Angola is expected to address issues of inequality and corruption in a country rich in natural resources but still facing widespread poverty.
He is also expected to visit Luanda and Muxima, a historic religious site linked to the country’s colonial past and slave trade routes.
In Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo is expected to deliver messages centred on human rights and social justice while maintaining a careful diplomatic balance with the country’s long-standing leadership.
The majority-Catholic nation has not hosted a papal visit in nearly half a century.
The Vatican says the tour reflects the growing importance of Africa in the global Catholic Church, with discussions expected to touch on global instability, inequality, and conflict resolution. The visit will conclude after 11 days.
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