Pope Leo XIV has begun an 11-day visit to Africa, his longest foreign trip since becoming pope, but Nigeria is not included on the itinerary.
The journey started on April 13 and will take him across Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
The Vatican says the tour covers more than 11,000 miles and includes eight public Masses and 11 speeches in several languages.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni described it as “one of the longest stretches of time that the pope has been outside the Vatican.”
The visit is focused on peace, interfaith dialogue, and support for vulnerable communities. The pope is also expected to visit prisons, hospitals, orphanages, and Catholic institutions.
In Algeria, Pope Leo XIV will make history as the first pope to visit the country. He will meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and visit key religious sites, including the Great Mosque of Algiers.
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the archbishop of Algiers, told AFP: “The pope is a brother who comes to visit his brothers.”
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In Cameroon, the pope will hold a peace meeting in Bamenda and meet President Paul Biya, with visits planned to social care centres in conflict-affected areas.
A worshipper, Simon Pierre Ngombo, told the Associated Press: “To see His Holiness Pope Leo XIV arrive in Cameroon… it further strengthens our faith.”
In Angola, he is expected to speak on poverty and inequality during visits to Luanda and the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Muxima.
Teacher Rosa Kanga told AFP: “It represents nothing, because millions of dollars will be taken from the state treasury to prepare, without bringing any benefits to our country.”
The final stop will be Equatorial Guinea, where he will meet President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and visit a prison.
The Vatican says the tour reflects the pope’s mission of peace and dialogue at a time of global tension.