Pope prioritises world's fastest-growing Catholic region in major Africa tour
Leo XIV wants the world's attention on a continent vital to the Church's future, an aide says.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"I have travelled to Africa as a witness to the peace and hope that the world so ardently desires."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"I expected Pope Leo would encourage us in our faith and in our mission to build a new world."
— Father Peter Claver Kogh , Other
"as a witness to the peace and hope that the world so ardently desires"
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"Africa knows all too well that people and organisations that dominate others destroy the world."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"turn the world’s attention to Africa"
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"This is a very, very significant trip to visit four countries, one in North Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Western Africa."
— Father Emmanuel Katongole , Academic
"The Vicar of Christ is coming. Our efforts at peace are not in vain."
— Father Emmanuel Katongole , Academic
"For Pope Leo, this is very important. His own motto is drawn from St. Augustine's words that in the one, we are one."
— Father Emmanuel Katongole , Academic
"Pope Leo’s visit will remind the world that Africa matters and the vibrancy of the Church in Africa remains at the heart of a thriving (global) Church."
— Rev Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator , Academic
"I believe the Holy Father is walking with the African church in the context of the global church."
— Rev. Daniel Male , Academic
"he didn’t think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is 'doing a very good job' and that 'he’s a very liberal person,' while also suggesting the pontiff should 'stop catering to the Radical Left.'"
— Donald Trump , Politician
"the pontiff is the first-ever leader of the world's Catholics to visit the Muslim-majority country of Algeria, where he aims to help 'build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.'"
— Jean-Paul Vesco , Other
Key People
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Father Emmanuel Katongole teaches theology and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame.
The Rector of the Basilica of our Lady of Africa in Algiers.
Jean-Paul Vesco is the cardinal archbishop of Algiers.
Mohamed Mamoun Al Qasimi is the Rector of the Great Mosque in Algiers.
Pope Leo XIV is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Rev Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator is a Jesuit from Nigeria and an academic leader in the Jesuit community across Africa.
Rev. Daniel Male is the secretary of the Union of Augustinian Friars of Africa.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine, known for his efforts to secure international support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Tags
All Coverage
Leo XIV wants the world's attention on a continent vital to the Church's future, an aide says.
Pope Leo XIV begins an 11-day tour of Africa, advocating for peace and denouncing 'neocolonial tendencies' amid tensions surrounding the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. His visit to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea underscores the Catholic Church's growing presence in Africa and aims to promote interfaith harmony, particularly Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Pope Leo XIV embarks on an 11-day tour of Africa, emphasizing themes of peace, migration, and interfaith dialogue, highlighting the continent's growing significance to the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV begins a significant tour of Africa, focusing on peace, migration, and interfaith dialogue, reflecting the continent's increasing importance to Catholicism.
Pope Leo XIV is heading to Africa, the continent where the Catholic Church is growing the fastest, beginning his tour in Algeria and continuing to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea over 11 days.
Pope Leo XIV will visit four countries across Africa from April 13th-23rd, the Vatican announced, with the pontiff making his first major overseas trip in 2026 to the continent where the Catholic Church is growing fastest.
Pope Leo XIV embarks on the first-ever papal trip to Algeria, aiming to promote Christian-Muslim coexistence and honor the locally born inspiration of his religious spirituality, St. Augustine.
Pope Leo XIV starts a four-nation visit to Africa, visiting the fastest-growing continent for the Catholic Church as he embarks on his fourth foreign trip since becoming pontiff in 2025.
Pope Leo XIV embarks on an 11-day tour of Africa, emphasizing themes of peace, migration, and interfaith dialogue, highlighting the continent's growing significance to the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday at the start of an 11-day tour of four African countries. The visit also includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The pontiff is the first-ever leader of the world's Catholics to visit the Muslim-majority country of Algeria, where he aims to help 'build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds,' the Archbishop of Algiers Jean-Paul Vesco told AFP.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Pope Leo urges global action to confront Congo's Ebola outbreak - Reuters
Pope Leo urges global action to confront Congo's Ebola outbreak Reuters
August 23, 2026 at 11:14 AMLet there be sunlight: Vatican plans solar and agriculture plant to cover its electricity needs - Reuters
Let there be sunlight: Vatican plans solar and agriculture plant to cover its electricity needs Reuters
August 22, 2026 at 07:07 AMCongo's president calls for national dialogue to ease tensions, rebels excluded - Reuters
Congo's president calls for national dialogue to ease tensions, rebels excluded Reuters
August 28, 2026 at 08:07 AMCONCACAF chief asks Infantino to skip youth tournament amid FIFA governance crisis - Reuters
CONCACAF chief asks Infantino to skip youth tournament amid FIFA governance crisis Reuters
August 22, 2026 at 05:08 PMLe Pen seeks to woo French business leaders at first presidential debate - Reuters
Le Pen seeks to woo French business leaders at first presidential debate Reuters
August 27, 2026 at 04:50 PMEurope's Solheim defeat in 2024 'extra incentive' for Maguire
Ireland's Leona Maguire says the opportunity for Europe to reclaim the Solheim Cup from the United States offers added incentive before the contest in the Netherlands in September.
August 25, 2026 at 04:51 PM