Pope Leo XIV Embarks on Landmark 11-Day African Tour Focused on Peace and Interfaith Dialogue

13th April•2 min read•5 sources

Pope Leo XIV has commenced an 11-day apostolic journey across the African continent, marking a historic milestone as the first pontiff to visit Algeria. This journey, his second major international tour since his election in May 2023, underscores Africa's rising influence within the global Catholic Church, which now boasts over 288 million faithful—representing more than a fifth of the world's total Catholic population. Spanning nearly 18,000 kilometers, the tour includes strategic stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, emphasizing the Vatican's commitment to what is currently the world's fastest-growing Catholic region.

The first leg of the tour in Algeria is particularly symbolic, given the nation's complex religious history and its deep connection to St. Augustine. As the first Pope to set foot in the country, Leo XIV is prioritizing inter-religious dialogue with the Islamic community and paying tribute to the victims of past conflicts. Key moments in this visit include a stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, where the Pope aims to foster a spirit of hope and coexistence in a region where religious minorities often face significant challenges. This visit is viewed as a crucial step in reaffirming the Vatican's desire for harmony between different faiths.

Moving into Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pope will address pressing socio-political issues and the impact of ongoing regional conflicts. In Cameroon, he is expected to lead prayers for peace amidst the civil unrest that has troubled the country's anglophone regions. The tour will also take him to Angola, where the theme of national reconciliation following its historic civil war will be central. In Equatorial Guinea, the Pope is slated to address social justice and human rights concerns, reflecting the Vatican’s broader mission to engage with pressing global challenges while advocating for the marginalized.

This extensive itinerary reflects a strategic pivot by the Vatican toward the Global South, recognizing Africa as a vital pillar of the future of the Church. Through this visit, Pope Leo XIV aims not only to bolster the faith of local communities but also to highlight the continent’s resilience and its role in addressing global themes like migration and peace. As the tour progresses through these four diverse nations, the Vatican hopes to showcase Africa’s role in global Catholic life and encourage local leaders to pursue paths of stability and social harmony.

This story touches markets covered on Anansi Intelligence ↗.

More from africa

Continue exploring similar stories

Rt Rev. Dr George Kotei Neequaye, Anglican Bishop of Tema, cutting the sod for work to begin on the new recreational centre

africa|2 days ago

World Vision, Anglican Diocese of Tema, and Ghana Police Spearhead Major Community Development and Security Interventions

Significant progress in community welfare and security has been marked across several regions in Ghana, led by international non-governmental organizations, religious bodies, and law enforcement. In the Ahafo Region, over 7,000 residents of the Dominase community have been relieved of a long-standing water crisis following the commissioning of a new 100,000-liter water system. This project, inaugurated by World Vision in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, aims to eliminate reliance on polluted streams and unreliable boreholes. Local officials emphasized that the facility will improve health, education, and economic outcomes, directly aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While infrastructure improves in the south, the Upper East Regional Police Command has struck a significant blow against human trafficking in the north. Authorities arrested three individuals—Peace Agbede, Favour Sunday Udo, and Faith Levi—for allegedly trafficking young Nigerian women into Ghana for forced prostitution in Gbane. The suspects reportedly lured victims with promises of acting careers, only to demand daily payments from their forced labor. In a particularly harrowing discovery, police revealed that the suspects attempted to sell one victim's newborn baby for GH"20,000. Four victims, aged 18 to 20, were rescued during the operation and are currently receiving support. Infrastructure development is also a priority for the Anglican Diocese of Tema, which has commenced construction on a $572,000 recreational and development centre. The project, located at St Stephen's Anglican Church, is partially funded by a $400,000 grant from Trinity Church, Wall Street. Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. George Kotei Neequaye noted that the centre will serve as a multi-purpose venue for community events while generating essential income to support the church's mission. The facility is expected to be completed by January 2028, with the diocese already raising a portion of the additional $175,000 required to finalize the project. In Oda Nkwanta, social welfare efforts focused on the protection of vulnerable children as the Ensuro Moa Kuo Foundation hosted a support event for 70 orphans. Supported by a GH"30,000 contribution from the National Hope Foundation, the event highlighted the urgent need to combat child labor. The Oda Nkwantahene has committed land for a proposed orphanage to provide a permanent sanctuary for these children. Meanwhile, in a unique cultural development at the Kumasi Zoo, a tour guide's refusal to place a snake around a visitor's neck went viral. The guide cited spiritual concerns regarding the visitor's "house spirits" and potential safety risks, illustrating the complex intersection of traditional beliefs and professional safety protocols in Ghana's tourism sector.

africa|2 days ago

Belgium’s AfricaMuseum to Digitize Colonial-Era Congo Mining Archives to Boost DRC Mineral Sector

Belgium’s AfricaMuseum in Tervuren has launched an ambitious five-year project to digitize its vast archive of colonial-era geological records concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiative involves converting nearly 500 meters of physical shelving into digital data, specifically targeting information on the DRC’s subsoil. These records, which span decades of geological surveys, are expected to provide critical insights into deposits of highly sought-after minerals, including copper, gold, cobalt, and lithium, which are essential for the global green energy transition and the production of modern electronics. The decision to digitize these archives comes at a time of intensifying global competition for rare earth minerals and battery components. Interestingly, the museum rejected an offer from the US-based exploration firm KoBold Metals—a company backed by high-profile investors like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos—to fund the digitization process. The museum’s leadership expressed concerns that partnering with a private entity might grant the company a monopoly or exclusive early access to the data, which could disadvantage other researchers and the DRC itself. Instead, the project will be executed by a European contractor and funded by the European Union, ensuring that the findings remain in the public domain. Beyond the immediate economic implications, the project serves a significant historical and scientific purpose. The archives contain detailed maps and field notes from the colonial era that have remained largely inaccessible in their physical form for decades. By digitizing these records and integrating additional documents from Brussels’ state archives, the project aims to create a comprehensive database of the DRC’s mineral wealth. This will empower DRC authorities to better manage their natural resources, identify new mining opportunities, and attract diversified investment into the sector with a clearer understanding of their geological landscape. As the world shifts toward electric vehicles and renewable energy, the DRC’s role as a primary source of cobalt and lithium has made it a focal point of international geopolitical strategy. This digitization effort is expected to level the playing field by democratizing access to historical geological data. By the end of the five-year period, these digitized archives are slated to be fully available to researchers and policymakers, potentially transforming how the DRC leverages its mineral heritage for national economic growth and global scientific advancement.

Participants in the Repairing International Development Conference after the opening ceremony

africa|2 days ago

African Diaspora and Leaders Champion Reparatory Justice and Economic Reconnection at Global Summits

The movement to strengthen ties between Africa and its global diaspora is gaining momentum through a blend of cultural diplomacy, personal reconnections, and high-level calls for reparatory justice. In a landmark networking soirée held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., EMY Africa recently brought together business leaders, government officials, and members of the diaspora to foster sustainable development. Founder Daniel Kojo Soboh emphasized that the event, which coincided with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, serves as a vital platform for showcasing African excellence and investment opportunities on a global stage, with notable support from U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Parallel to these diplomatic efforts, personal narratives of homecoming are fueling the push for historical accountability. Illinois House member Carol Ammons recently traced her ancestry to Paga in Ghana, where she was enskinned as the Queen Mother for Peace and Development. Describing the experience as a profound emotional homecoming, Ammons vowed to use her legislative platform to advocate for reparations and raise awareness about the enduring impact of the transatlantic slave trade. Her commitment highlights a growing trend of diaspora leaders seeking not only cultural reconnection but also tangible justice and healing for historical grievances. This call for repair is being institutionalized through new frameworks in international development. At a recent global conference, experts argued that future development models must move away from extractive colonial structures and toward community-led solutions. Makmid Kamara proposed a ‖Six Rs Framework—reconnection, re-education, repair, rebuild, resist, and reimagine—as a blueprint for addressing historical inequalities. Other speakers, including Dr. Liliane Umubyeyi and Dr. Ashwini K.P., stressed the importance of challenging inherited narratives and reclaiming indigenous knowledge to ensure that development is equitable and sustainable. Ultimately, these diverse initiatives across Washington, D.C. and Ghana reflect a unified vision for Africa’s future. By combining economic networking with the pursuit of reparatory justice, leaders are attempting to build a more resilient relationship between the continent and its descendants abroad. As Africa continues to promote its achievements and advocate for historical repair, these efforts are expected to reshape international development and diplomatic engagement for years to come, ensuring that the diaspora remains an active participant in the continent's growth.

Martey Justice Akita (5th from right), the author; Barima Dr Addofo Kissi I (4th from right), Akyempimhehe of Kwahu Obo; Hajarah Daniels (4th from left), CEO, Larajah Publishers, and other dignitaries at the launch

africa|2 days ago

Ghana Champions Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Protection Amidst Rising Biodiversity Threats

Ghana is intensifying its commitment to environmental stewardship and food security as the government moves to scale up sustainable farming practices while experts and activists issue urgent warnings regarding the country's biodiversity crisis. At the CIRAWA International Conference in Accra, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang announced that the government is set to expand agroecological and nature-based farming practices under the Feed Ghana Programme. This four-year initiative aims to transform the agricultural sector by prioritizing crop diversification, agroforestry, and the use of bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides. The Vice President emphasized that these sustainable approaches are necessary to combat environmental degradation and ensure food accessibility despite persistent global challenges. Supporting this shift toward ecological preservation, Professor Edward Wiafe Debrah of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development recently warned that biodiversity should be viewed as a fundamental foundation for development rather than a luxury. In a compelling inaugural lecture, Professor Debrah highlighted how the decline in biodiversity directly threatens Africa’s food production, water security, and public health. He identified climate change, deforestation, and illegal mining as the primary drivers of habitat destruction, calling for a holistic approach that integrates scientific research with active community participation to safeguard the ecological systems essential for the continent’s economic growth. The human and social toll of environmental neglect was further highlighted during the launch of a new book titled "The Galamsey King Must Dance Naked and Other Stories From The Red Earth" by Martey Justice Akita. The publication serves as a stark call to action, documenting the widespread pollution and social damage caused by illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, across Ghana. Prominent figures at the launch, including Akyempimhene Barimah Dr Addofo Kissi I and Nii Moi Thompson, echoed the book’s message, stressing that the nation must value its natural resources over the short-term wealth generated by destructive mining practices. They argued that without urgent institutional reforms and a shift in national values, Ghana faces a looming national crisis. Collectively, these developments signal a growing national consensus on the need to protect Ghana’s natural heritage for future generations. Whether through the implementation of the National Agroecology Strategy or the cultural push against illegal mining, the message remains clear: environmental conservation is inseparable from economic and social survival. Moving forward, the success of these initiatives will depend on the effective collaboration between policymakers, scientists, and local communities to transition toward a more resilient and sustainable green economy.

Stay Informed

Explore

Categories

Features

Topics

Legal

Pope Leo XIV Embarks on Landmark 11-Day African Tour Focused on Peace and Interfaith Dialogue

More from africa

World Vision, Anglican Diocese of Tema, and Ghana Police Spearhead Major Community Development and Security Interventions

Belgium’s AfricaMuseum to Digitize Colonial-Era Congo Mining Archives to Boost DRC Mineral Sector

African Diaspora and Leaders Champion Reparatory Justice and Economic Reconnection at Global Summits

Ghana Champions Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Protection Amidst Rising Biodiversity Threats