Pope Léon XIV begins a ten-day tour of Africa Monday, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The trip includes stops in 11 cities and towns, covering nearly 18,000 km with 18 flights.
The pontiff’s visit to the world’s poorest continent highlights his focus on the most vulnerable members of the Church, and comes as Africa’s Catholic population grows rapidly – now representing over 20 percent of the global total. This journey symbolizes a shift in the center of gravity for the Catholic Church, with its future increasingly tied to the continent.
Prior to departing, the American pope denounced U.S. attacks on Iran. His early papacy has largely been defined by his response to President Donald Trump, but this tour allows him to concentrate on spreading the faith and will see him greeted by both enthusiastic crowds and authoritarian leaders.