Pope Leo XIV Completes 11-Day, Four-Nation Tour of Africa
Focus on peace, coexistence, and anti-corruption amid conflict and inequality.
Pope Leo XIV concluded an 11-day visit to four African nations—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—from April 13 to April 23. The trip centered on themes of peace, Christian-Muslim coexistence, corruption, and the proper use of political authority, set against a backdrop of ongoing conflicts, disputed elections, and significant economic inequality.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Algeria: April 13–15
- Cameroon: April 15–18
- Angola: April 18–21
- Equatorial Guinea: April 21–23
Algeria (April 13–15)
The pope visited Annaba, the modern-day site of the ancient city of Hippo, where St. Augustine served as a bishop. He paid homage to migrants who died in shipwrecks attempting to reach Europe and visited the Great Mosque in Algiers. The Vatican highlighted themes of migration and Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Background: Algeria is a majority Sunni Muslim nation. In 2023, legislators voted to declare France's colonization a crime and approved a law calling for restitution of property taken during French rule.
Cameroon (April 15–18)
"Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain."
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on April 15 amid a separatist conflict in English-speaking regions and a disputed presidential election. He met with President Paul Biya in Yaounde, where a last-minute change saw the president, rather than the prime minister, deliver a speech before the papal address.
Separatist Conflict and Ceasefire: English-speaking separatist groups announced a three-day pause in fighting for the visit. The Unity Alliance stated the ceasefire reflected the "profound spiritual importance" of the papal visit. The conflict, which began in 2017, has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 600,000 people. Cameroon also faces Boko Haram attacks in the north.
Peace Meeting in Bamenda: On April 16, the pope visited Bamenda, the epicenter of the separatist conflict. He presided over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam, and a Catholic nun.
In remarks at St. Joseph Cathedral, Pope Leo XIV called for a "decisive change of course" away from conflict and exploitation. He said, "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!" and warned that "those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons."
Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya told the pope that residents had suffered from "a situation they did not create." The Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba said the Vatican had joined other faith groups in efforts to facilitate negotiations.
Mass in Douala and Message to Youth: On April 17, the pope delivered Mass in Douala. The Vatican predicted 600,000 attendees; local organizers reported about 120,000. In his homily, he urged young people to resist corruption, stating, "Do not let yourselves be corrupted by temptations that waste your energies and do not serve the progress of society."
Voices from Cameroon:
- Caro Bih, a nurse from Bamenda: Said she hopes the pope's visit will bring peace. She was kidnapped, chained, and held for ransom by separatists. Several relatives were killed or abducted, and her family home destroyed. Her family's monthly income is approximately $53.
- Rev. John Berinyuy Tatah, a priest kidnapped by separatists: Said he believes the pope will help mediate dialogue.
- Benjamin Akih, a U.S.-based activist: Expressed concern the government might exploit the pope's presence to mask historical injustices.
- Eric Chinje of Project Cameroon: Said the visit is more about the pope's global evangelical mission than Cameroon's political situation.
- Yeeika Desmond Nangsinyuy, an artist abducted by separatists: Said he hopes the pope will speak to the pain of affected families.
Background on Cameroon: President Paul Biya, 93, has led Cameroon since 1982. He secured an eighth term in a disputed October election. Approximately 29% of the population is Catholic. Cameroon has significant mineral reserves, but rights groups say revenues rarely reach rural communities. UNICEF reported hundreds of children have abandoned school to dig for gold. Peace talks, facilitated by Canada in 2022, have stalled.
Angola (April 18–21)
"It is necessary to break this cycle of interests, which reduces reality, and even life itself, to mere commodities."
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Luanda on April 18. He met with President João Lourenço and called for breaking "the cycle of interests" that has led to plunder and exploitation of Africa. He stated, "You know well that all too often people have looked — and continue to look — to your lands in order to give, or, more commonly, in order to take."
Mass and Visit to Muxima: On Sunday, the pope celebrated Mass for an estimated 100,000 people in Kilamba. He called for addressing corruption through a "new culture of justice and sharing," stating, "We wish to build a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear."
Later, he visited the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima, a Marian shrine built by Portuguese colonizers in the late 16th century that served as a hub in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. A new basilica is under construction as part of a government tourism project.
Background on Angola: Approximately 58% of the population is Catholic. Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, followed by a 27-year civil war that killed an estimated half a million people. It is Africa's fourth-largest oil producer and the world's third-largest diamond producer. The World Bank estimated in 2023 that over 30% of Angolans live on less than $2.15 per day. Former President José Eduardo dos Santos was accused of diverting billions in public funds; $24 billion is believed to have been stolen during his era.
Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23)
"Serve the common good rather than private interests."
Pope Leo XIV visited Equatorial Guinea as the final stop, celebrating Mass in Mongomo at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. An estimated 100,000 people attended, with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, his wife, and their son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang, present. The pope blessed the cornerstone for a future cathedral in the new capital, Ciudad de la Paz.
In his homily, he urged citizens to work for a "new sense of justice," greater freedom, and safeguarded human dignity. He called for efforts to bridge the gap "between the privileged and the disadvantaged."
Later, he visited a prison in Bata, telling approximately 600 detainees that incarceration should aim to rebuild lives, not just punish.
Background on Equatorial Guinea: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been in power since 1979. Oil accounts for almost half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. The World Bank reported in 2023 that more than half the population lives in poverty. Rights groups say oil revenues have enriched the ruling family while 70% of the population lives in poverty. The government faces accusations of harassing opponents and journalists. The vice president was convicted of embezzlement by a French court in 2021.
Ahead of the pope's visit, the government released nearly 100 people arrested during a 2022 crackdown. Seventy human rights organizations published an open letter urging the pope to address U.S. deportations of migrants to Equatorial Guinea.
Related Developments: During the flight to Angola, Pope Leo XIV stated that debating U.S. President Donald Trump about the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran was "not in my interest at all," adding that his statements reflect a broader Gospel message of peace. He described the cease-fire in Lebanon as a "sign of hope" and prayed for permanent peace in the Middle East.