Pope Leo XIV wants to “put Africa on the world stage,” according to a senior Vatican official, through his major visit to the continent, aiming to highlight issues of peace, migration, and interfaith dialogue.
As he begins his 11-day trip today (Monday), this marks his second major international journey since being elected Pope in May last year, reflecting Africa’s growing importance within global Catholicism.
More than one-third of the world’s Catholics—about 288 million people as of 2024—live in Africa, making it one of the fastest-growing regions for the Church.
Recent Vatican statistics show a significant increase in the number of baptized believers across the continent.
The trip, considered a personal priority for Pope Leo, will take him to 11 cities across four countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. In total, he will travel approximately 18,000 kilometers, using 18 flights.
Although most of the countries on the itinerary have large Catholic populations, the Pope has chosen to begin his journey in Algeria, a country where Catholics are a minority, due to its unique historical and religious significance.
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