Pope Leo in Africa

Pope softens speech in Equatorial Guinea

Leo XIV wraps up African tour

Josephine Peterson · April 29, 2026

In the final leg of his apostolic journey to Africa, Pope Leo XIV struck a more measured tone, delivering a message to the faithful while navigating one of the continent’s most politically sensitive environments.

We have to make sure the pope's words do not get wasted,' says Cameroon archbishop

Ngala Killian Chimtom · April 24, 2026

As the dust begins to settle following the April 15-18 visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, Church leaders in the Central African nation believe the pontiff's journey has created a "kairos" moment of grace in a country longing for peace.

Gospel message brings freedom, hope, pope says at final Mass in Equatorial Guinea

Junno Arocho Esteves · April 23, 2026

On his last day in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV reminded Catholics in the country to seek strength, justice and hope from the Gospel and the sacraments.

Pope Leo offers encouragement to inmates, young people and families in final full day of Africa visit

Maria Wiering and Courtney Mares · April 22, 2026

Pope Leo XIV told inmates at a correctional facility in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, April 22 that "no one is excluded from God's love" and "God never grows tired of forgiving."

In Central Africa's largest Catholic church, Pope Leo tells faithful: 'The future of Equatorial Guinea depends upon your choices'

Courtney Mares · April 22, 2026

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the second-largest Catholic Church in Africa April 22, telling Catholics in the oil-rich nation that "the future of Equatorial Guinea depends upon your choices."

Pope Leo meets Equatorial Guinea's dictator, quoting St. Augustine's 'City of God'

Courtney Mares · April 22, 2026

Pope Leo XIV arrived April 21 in Equatorial Guinea, the fourth and final country of his 11-day apostolic journey in Africa, where the pope met the country's longtime ruler and urged the country's civil authorities to choose justice over power, quoting St. Augustine's "City of God."

In Angola, Catholic Church steps in to give a voice to mining-affected communities

Josephine Peterson · April 21, 2026

As the Catholic Church’s global leadership increasingly looks to Africa as a wellspring of vitality and growth, communities across the continent are pressing it to take a clearer stand on one of their most urgent concerns: the human and environmental cost of mining.

'Christ hears the cry of the people' in the face of evil, Pope says at Mass near Angola's largest diamond mine

Courtney Mares · April 20, 2026

Pope Leo XIV traveled to the heart of Angola's diamond country April 20, urging the tens of thousands gathered at the papal Mass in the country's northeast to trust that "Christ hears the cry of the people" in the face of evil.

‘The heart of the Church’ is ‘alive and beating’: Pope Leo XIV leads rosary at beloved Muxima Marian shrine in Angola

Courtney Mares · April 19, 2026

Pope Leo XIV led tens of thousands of Angolan Catholics in praying the rosary April 19 at southern Africa's most visited Catholic shrine, calling the pilgrimage site a place where "the heart of the Church" is "alive and beating.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass with 120,000 people in Cameroon: 'Bring the bread of life to your neighbours'

Courtney Mares · April 17, 2026

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for more than 120,000 people in Cameroon's largest city on April 17, urging "beloved children of the African continent" to share God's love by feeding the hungry and offering the spiritual nourishment of "the bread of life."