Pope Leo XIV will embark on an 11-day tour of Africa beginning April 13, marking his first major international visit since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church, with Nigeria notably absent from the itinerary.
The tour will span over 18,000 kilometres, covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The pontiff is expected to deliver 11 speeches, celebrate seven masses, and meet political, religious, and community leaders before returning on April 23.
In Algeria, where Islam is the state religion, the pope’s visit will be historic, making him the first pontiff to travel to the country. He is scheduled to visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, hold talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and tour Annaba, a city linked to the Augustinian order.
In Cameroon, the focus will shift to peace and reconciliation, particularly in the conflict-affected English-speaking regions. The pope will visit Bamenda and meet President Paul Biya, while also engaging with Catholic institutions involved in healthcare and education.
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The Angola leg of the trip will highlight economic inequality and governance challenges. Despite its natural resource wealth, the country continues to grapple with poverty, and the pope is expected to advocate fairer resource distribution and stronger anti-corruption measures.
In Equatorial Guinea, he will engage with authorities led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, addressing issues of social justice and human rights within a sensitive political climate.
The visit represents his third international journey outside Italy, following earlier trips to Turkey, Lebanon, and Monaco. However, Nigeria’s exclusion has drawn attention, given its large Catholic population and influential role within the African Church.
