The Vatican has unveiled details of Pope Leo’s upcoming four-nation tour of Africa.
The ten-day journey in April will see him visit Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Algeria, a country that has never been visited by a Pope before.
During his three-day trip to Algeria, which begins on 13 April, the pontiff will meet the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, one of the biggest in the world as it can host up to 120,000 people. He’ll also visit the port city of Annaba, which developed from the ancient city of Hippo, home to St. Augustine. He’ll also have a private meeting with members of the Augustinian Order before celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine.
After flying from Algiers to Cameroon, Pope Leo will meet President Paul Barthélemy Biya and visit an orphanage before meeting Cameroonian Bishops at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference. While in Cameroon he’ll also address a meeting for peace at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Bamenda, celebrate Mass at Bamenda International Airport, visit students at the Catholic University of Central Africa and visit St Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala.
The Pope will fly from Cameroon to Angola for another three-day visit from 18 April, this time visiting President João Lourenço in Luanda. He’ll also meet Angolan Bishops and celebrate Mass in the nearby city of Kilamba. Among the other highlights, he will pray the Rosary in front of the Marian shrine, Mama Muxima, visit a nursing home and after returning to Luanda, offer an address at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima.
Leo will then travel to Equatorial Guinea for the final leg of his trip. He’ll meet the country’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, bishops and hospital and university representatives. He’ll celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo and visit the port city of Bata where he’ll visit the prison.
After visiting a memorial to over 100 victims of an explosion at a military base, he’ll meet young people and families during an address at Bata stadium.
He’ll return to Rome on 23 April after celebrating Mass at Equatorial Guinea’s Malabo stadium.
Christian-Muslim relations and comforting victims of violence will be central themes of his trip – his third overseas visit since taking office last year.