Catholic Pontiff, Leo XIV is set to begin an 11-day visit to Africa on Monday, marking his first major international tour since becoming head of the Catholic Church last year.
The trip will take the 70-year-old pontiff to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, as he engages with political, religious and social issues across the continent.
During the visit, Pope Leo is expected to address a wide range of topics, including interfaith dialogue with Islam, peace-building efforts, inequality and human rights. The tour will cover more than 18,000 kilometres and run until April 23.
According to the Vatican, the pontiff will deliver 11 speeches, celebrate seven masses and visit multiple locations across the four देशों.
The visit comes at a time of global uncertainty, with ongoing tensions in the Middle East and concerns over energy security shaping international discourse. Analysts say his messages during the trip are likely to carry significant weight given the current climate.
This will be his third trip outside Italy since his election, following earlier visits to Turkey and Lebanon, as well as a trip to Monaco in March.
The African tour is expected to further define the direction of his papacy, particularly in relation to the Church’s role in addressing global challenges.
