Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Africa for an 11-day, four-country tour that is as historic as it is ambitious. His first stop, Algeria, marks the first-ever papal visit to the Muslim-majority nation. It is a deeply personal milestone for Leo, a lifelong member of the Order of St. Augustine, whose patron saint was born on Algerian soil. From there, the 70-year-old pontiff will head to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, where he’s expected to tackle corruption, authoritarian rule, migration, and peace. The timing is significant: Africa is now the Catholic Church’s fastest-growing region, accounting for over half of all baptisms in 2023. Against this background, Leo’s journey marks a bold new chapter for the Vatican on the continent.
DW
