Pope Leo will go to 4 international locations throughout Africa from April 13-23, the Vatican introduced yesterday, with the pontiff making his first main abroad journey in 2026 to the continent the place the Catholic Church is rising quickest.
The pope may also make a day’s go to on March 28 to Monaco, the microstate on the French Riviera, and can go to Spain from June 6-12, the Vatican mentioned.
In Africa, Leo will go to Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. He’s anticipated to attract giant crowds, urge world leaders to assist improvement on the continent, and spotlight efforts at Catholic-Muslim dialogue.
Leo, elected in Might to succeed the late Pope Francis as head of the 1.4-billion-member Church, has made just one abroad journey thus far, visiting Turkey and Lebanon in November and December on a go to initially organised for Francis.
Vatican officers and African Church leaders say the upcoming papal tour in Africa is an indication of the precedence the Church locations on the continent. –Reuters