Pope Leo to begin 10-day Africa tour on mission to spotlight continent's needs
Pope Leo begins an ambitious 10-day tour of four countries in Africa on Monday, urging global leaders "to address needs on the continent where more than a fifth of the world's Catholics live."
The U.S. pope heads to Algeria for two days before continuing to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in a whirlwind tour to 11 cities and towns, traversing nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) over 18 flights. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close adviser to Leo, told Reuters that the pope is making the visit with a mission "to help turn the world's attention to Africa". Leo, aged 70, is undertaking one of the most complicated tours arranged for a pontiff in decades. He has made only one big overseas trip since being elected last May, visiting Turkey and Lebanon in November and December. He visited Monaco in March. Vatican statistics state that more than 20% of the world's Catholics live in Africa. Algeria is an overwhelmingly Muslim country with under 10,000 Catholics among its population of some 48 million people. This is the first time it will host a Catholic pope.
Pope Leo's tour is the 24th by a pope to Africa since the late 1960s. He is expected to touch on many topics in 25 planned speeches over 10 days, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. The biggest event of the itinerary will likely come in Cameroon on Friday, when the Vatican said some 600,000 are expected for a Mass in the coastal city of Douala. Landing in Algeria in mid-morning on Monday, Leo will address the country
Quick Summary
Pope Leo is embarking on a 10-day tour of Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The Pope aims to shine a light on the continent's needs - but what issues will he address?
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