US EditionPope wraps up an Africa visit for the history books with a Mass in Equatorial Guinea
The pontiff urged reconciliation and respect for human dignity as he ended his four-country Africa trip with a mass before 30,000 people.
- From April 13 to 23, Pope Leo XIV completed his Apostolic Journey to four African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, aiming to confirm believers in their faith and offer a message of peace.
- In Algeria, the Pope revisited the spiritual roots of Saint Augustine and sought to strengthen bridges with the Islamic world, demonstrating that diverse religions can coexist as children of the same merciful Father.
- Visiting Bamenda, Cameroon, the Pope described the nation as "Africa in miniature," urging international cooperation to address endemic corruption, unfair wealth distribution, and neo-colonial attitudes hindering sustainable development.
- At the Marian Sanctuary of Muxima—meaning "Mother of the Heart"—the Pope witnessed catechists and religious leaders sustaining hope among the Angolan people despite disappointments from powerful ideologies.
- Concluding the journey in Equatorial Guinea, 170 years after its first evangelization, the Pope encountered renewed enthusiasm among the faithful, highlighted by prisoners in Bata joining him in prayer as a sign of the Kingdom of God.
28 Articles
28 Articles
A country-by-country glance at Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Africa
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Rector Mohamed Mamoun Al Qasimi upon his arrival at the Great Mosque in Algiers, Monday, April 13, 2026, on the first day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) ASSOCIATED PRESS Pope Leo XIV’s 11-day tour of four African nations has given the usually reserved pontiff a global platform to speak out, in sometimes explosive terms, about Africa’s problems while preaching peace and uprightnes…
A journey to Africa was what he wanted at the beginning of his pontificate, Leo says
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday said his recent visit to Africa was to bring a message of peace amid war. Leo visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea from April 13 to 23, a journey that was sometimes overshadowed by comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump as it began. The pontiff was speaking at his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on April 29, and said he had been thinking of a journey to Africa since the very beginning of…
National Catholic Reporter
Papal trip put spotlight on local injustices, joy of Christian faith, pope says
As had been customary by his predecessors, Leo used his first general audience after his April 13-23 trip to four nations in Africa to tell people about the purpose of his visit and what struck him most about his travels.
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s general audience given April 29, 2026
(OSV News) -- The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s general audience address given Apr. 29 in St. Peter’s Square. Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome! Today I would like to talk about the Apostolic Journey I made from 13 to 23 April, visiting four African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola
Leo XIV retraced the apostolic visit: "Message of peace" between "wars" and "violations of international law." Opportunity to "make" the voice of the African people heard. In Algeria to "consolidate bridges"; on Cameroon: to oppose cooperation to "neo-colonialism." In Angola the hope that resists "vane promises of the powerful." The memory of the song of praise to God of the prisoners in Bata.
A year ago, Leo XIV was elected Pope. On his recent trip to Africa, his message of peace and justice met enthusiastic believers.
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