VATICAN: Pope Leo is set to begin an ambitious 10-day tour of Africa on Monday, aiming to draw global attention to the continent, which is home to more than a fifth of the world’s Catholics.
The visit, one of the most extensive papal journeys in recent decades, will take the pontiff across four countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The tour will cover 11 cities and towns, spanning nearly 18,000 kilometres over 18 flights.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close adviser, said the visit is intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa”, highlighting the continent’s growing importance within the Catholic Church.
At 70, the first American pope is undertaking one of the most logistically complex trips of his papacy. Since his election last May, he has made only one major overseas visit—to Turkey and Lebanon—alongside shorter trips, including Monaco.
Africa now accounts for more than 20 per cent of the global Catholic population, with the three sub-Saharan nations on his itinerary having majority Catholic populations.
His first stop, however, presents a contrasting context. Algeria is overwhelmingly Muslim, with fewer than 10,000 Catholics among a population of about 48 million. It will mark the first time the country hosts a sitting pope.
The tour will be the 24th papal visit to Africa since the late 1960s, underscoring the continent’s increasing prominence in global Catholicism.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pope is expected to deliver 25 speeches addressing a range of issues shaped by each country’s circumstances. Key themes are likely to include the exploitation of natural resources, interfaith dialogue, and the risks posed by political corruption.
The largest gathering of the tour is expected in Cameroon, where an estimated 600,000 faithful are set to attend a Mass in the coastal city of Douala on Friday.
The visit also comes amid political sensitivities. Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are led by long-serving presidents who have faced accusations of human rights abuses, allegations they deny.
Fluent in several languages, Pope Leo is expected to address audiences in Italian, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
He will begin his visit in Algeria with meetings with political leaders before visiting the Great Mosque of Algiers, only the second mosque visit of his papacy. He will then travel to Annaba to visit the ancient ruins of Hippo.
The site holds particular significance for the pope, a member of the Augustinian order inspired by St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity.