Why is Pope Leo XIV going to Africa?

Pope Leo XIV has begun an 11-day tour of four African countries, spanning the northern, central, and southern parts of the continent, amid a clash with US President Donald Trump over attacks on Iran.

Andrey Maslov, head of the Center for African Studies at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, told RT that the rift in the West means the Vatican, now more than ever, needs an independent policy and a stronger foothold in Africa.

The papal trip to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea from April 13 to 23 will focus on peace, migration, the environment, youth, and the family, according to the Vatican.

Africa accounts for a growing share of Catholics in the world. In March, Vatican statistics revealed that the number of Catholics on the continent rose from just over 281 million in 2023 to more than 288 million in 2024, pushing Africa’s share of the global Catholic population to 20.3%. According to country-by-country church data released by the Vatican ahead of the trip, Catholics are 0.02% of Algeria’s population, 28.87% in Cameroon, 57.83% of Angola’s, and 74.78% in Equatorial Guinea.

What is the Pope’s itinerary and why is Algeria the key stop?

The trip opens in Algeria, in what is widely seen as the most symbolically important leg of the journey. It is the first-ever papal visit to the country and carries personal significance for Leo, who belongs to the Augustinian order. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD), one of Christianity’s most influential theologians, was born and lived in what is now Algeria.

He is scheduled to hold talks with the long-serving presidents of the four countries, alongside encounters with clergy, students, and civil society figures.

In the North African state, the pontiff is due to meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, visit Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo, as well as the Great Mosque of Algiers.