Catholic News

"Even Just One of These Children" is the title chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be held on Sept. 27.

As reported by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in an April 9 statement, the title chosen by the pontiff makes direct reference to the Gospel of St. Matthew: "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me" (Mt 18:5).

In doing so, the Holy Father wishes to express the Church's concern for minors who, due to various circumstances, are compelled to undergo the experience of migration.

Through this theme, Pope Leo XIV appeals to the responsibility of the Church and of all the faithful, "recalling the duty to welcome each one of them, as the Gospel teaches us," according to the statement.

As the dicastery pointed out, the current migration landscape poses new challenges that seriously threaten the rights and dignity of children, thereby requiring urgent and effective responses.

"It is not a matter of discussing numbers or percentages, because 'even just one' has the highest value," the dicastery emphasized.

The Catholic Church has observed this day since 1914 to demonstrate its concern for vulnerable people who are forced to flee their homes.

The dicastery also invited the faithful to reflect and to pray for all those individuals facing numerous challenges and to raise awareness regarding the opportunities that migration can offer.

In his message for the 2025 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Holy Father affirmed that Catholic refugees "can become missionaries of hope in the countries that welcome them" while emphasizing their capacity to "revitalize ecclesial communities that have become rigid and weighed down."

On the occasion of the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking in February, the pope also denounced the "the same logic of dominion and disregard for human life," particularly toward displaced persons, migrants, and refugees.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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ALGIERS — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday and delivered his first address in the country at the Maqam Echahid Martyrs' Monument, where he urged forgiveness and said that "the future belongs to men and women of peace."

The visit marked the first time a pope has set foot in Algeria. After a roughly two-hour flight, Leo traveled first not to meet diplomats or civil authorities but to the national monument honoring those who died in Algeria's struggle for independence.

In intermittent rain, the pope laid a wreath at the monument and paused in prayer as a military band played. He then addressed those gathered, opening with the greeting: "Peace be with you! As-salamu alaykum!"

Leo said he had come to Algeria "as the Successor of the Apostle Peter" but "first and foremost as a brother" seeking to renew bonds of affection. Looking at the Algerian people, he said, "I see the face of a strong and young people, whose hospitality and fraternity I have experienced frequently."

"In the Algerian heart, friendship, trust and solidarity are not merely words, but values that matter and give warmth and strength to your life together," the pope said.

Reflecting on Algeria's history, Leo acknowledged both its deep traditions and its painful periods of violence. "Our presence here at this monument pays tribute to this history of Algeria and to the very spirit of a people who fought for the independence, dignity and sovereignty of this nation," he said.

The pope then turned to his central theme: peace rooted in justice, dignity, and forgiveness.

"God desires peace for every nation: a peace that is not merely an absence of conflict, but one that is an expression of justice and dignity," he said. "This peace, which allows us to face the future with a reconciled spirit, is possible only through forgiveness."

"The true struggle for liberation will be definitively won only when peace in our hearts has finally been achieved," Leo added. "I know how difficult it is to forgive. However, as conflicts continue to multiply throughout the world, we cannot add resentment upon resentment, generation after generation."

He continued: "The future belongs to men and women of peace. In the end, justice will always triumph over injustice, just as violence, despite all appearances, will never have the last word."

Speaking in a country shaped by multiple cultures and religions, Leo said "mutual respect is the path that enables everyone to walk together" and expressed hope that Algeria would continue contributing "to stability and dialogue within the international community and along the shores of the Mediterranean."

The pope also praised the place of faith in Algerian society, saying that "faith in God has a central place in your heritage."

"A nation that loves God possesses true wealth, and the Algerian people cherish this jewel as one of their treasures," he said. "Our world needs believers like this — men and women of faith who thirst for justice and unity."

Leo warned against the false promise of material wealth, saying there are those who "search for riches that fade away, deceive and disappoint, and which sadly often end up corrupting the human heart, giving rise to envy, rivalry and conflict." Quoting Christ, he asked: "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?"

He said the dead honored at the monument had already answered that question: "They lost their lives but in doing so, they gave them up for the love of their own people."

"May their example sustain the people of Algeria and all of us on our journey, for true freedom is not merely inherited, it is chosen anew every day," the pope said.

Leo concluded by reading the Beatitudes.

The pope landed in Algiers at about 10:30 a.m. local time and was welcomed at the airport before a private greeting with Algeria's president. Because Catholics make up only a small minority in the country, the visit is not expected to feature large crowds.

Still, the city prepared carefully for the papal arrival, with some facades refreshed, roads repaved, green spaces embellished, and large flower pots placed along part of the route.

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, archbishop of Algiers, welcomed Leo by describing the Algerian people as proud yet marked by a painful history. He said they are "strong in their youth" while still bearing the memory of martyrs from different eras, including the colonial period, the war of independence, and the violence of the 1990s and 2000s.

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media Sunday evening, calling the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a lengthy post that appeared to be reacting to the Holy Father's recent appeals for peace and an end to war.

In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews shortly afterward, Trump said: "I don't think he's doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo." He added: "He's a very liberal person."

Trump accused Leo of being soft on Iran and criticized the pope's opposition to U.S. military operations. "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," the president wrote. He also criticized the pope for opposing the U.S. intervention in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro in January.

Leo has not said Iran should possess nuclear weapons. He has called the U.S.-Israel war in Iran "unjust" and on April 7 called Trump's threat to destroy an entire "civilization" in Iran "truly unacceptable."

Trump also claimed credit for Leo's election to the papacy in May 2025, writing: "He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American." He added: "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."

The post on Truth Social came hours before Leo was scheduled to depart Monday for an 11-day trip to four African countries, and one day after the pope presided over a globally broadcast prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter's Basilica.

U.S. bishops' leader: Pope 'is not his rival'

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he was "disheartened" by President Donald Trump's public attack on Pope Leo XIV, defending the pontiff as the Vicar of Christ who speaks for the Gospel and the care of souls.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City issued a brief statement late Sunday in response to Trump's lengthy social media post calling the pope "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."

"I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father," Coakley said. "Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls."

The president said he preferred the pope's older brother, Louis Prevost, a Port Charlotte, Florida, resident who has described himself as a "MAGA type." "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump wrote.

Trump also criticized Leo for meeting April 9 with David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Barack Obama, calling Axelrod "a LOSER from the Left." The Vatican has previously confirmed the audience but did not disclose what was discussed.

Trump also posted an image that commentators said depicted him as Jesus Christ, wearing a biblical-style robe and laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while admirers look on and eagles and military jets fill the sky above an American flag.

The public clash comes after weeks of growing friction between the White House and Catholic leaders since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.

Pope Leo's appeals for peace intensified over Holy Week, culminating in Saturday's vigil, where he denounced a "delusion of omnipotence" and warned that "the holy Name of God" was being "dragged into discourses of death."

At a special Mass for Peace held in Washington on April 11, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that the current war fails to meet the strict criteria of just war theory, particularly in light of civilian suffering and the risk of disproportionate harm.

The Vatican has not yet publicly responded to Trump's post. The pope is expected to arrive in Algiers on Monday.

Last updated: April 14, 2026, 00:31 a.m. ET.

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President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media Sunday evening, calling the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a lengthy post that appeared to be reacting to the Holy Father's recent appeals for peace and an end to war.

In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews shortly afterward, Trump said: "I don't think he's doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo." He added: "He's a very liberal person."

Trump accused Leo of being soft on Iran and criticized the pope's opposition to U.S. military operations. "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," the president wrote. He also criticized the pope for opposing the U.S. intervention in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro in January.

Leo has not said Iran should possess nuclear weapons. He has called the U.S.-Israel war in Iran "unjust" and on April 7 called Trump's threat to destroy an entire "civilization" in Iran "truly unacceptable."

Trump also claimed credit for Leo's election to the papacy in May 2025, writing: "He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American." He added: "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."

The post on Truth Social came hours before Leo was scheduled to depart Monday for an 11-day trip to four African countries, and one day after the pope presided over a globally broadcast prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter's Basilica.

The president said he preferred the pope's older brother, Louis Prevost, a Port Charlotte, Florida, resident who has described himself as a "MAGA type." "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump wrote.

Trump also criticized Leo for meeting April 9 with David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Barack Obama, calling Axelrod "a LOSER from the Left." The Vatican has previously confirmed the audience but did not disclose what was discussed.

Trump also posted an image that commentators said depicted him as Jesus Christ, wearing a biblical-style robe and laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while admirers look on and eagles and military jets fill the sky above an American flag.

The public clash comes after weeks of growing friction between the White House and Catholic leaders since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.

Pope Leo's appeals for peace intensified over Holy Week, culminating in Saturday's vigil, where he denounced a "delusion of omnipotence" and warned that "the holy Name of God" was being "dragged into discourses of death."

At a special Mass for Peace held in Washington on April 11, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that the current war fails to meet the strict criteria of just war theory, particularly in light of civilian suffering and the risk of disproportionate harm.

The Vatican has not yet publicly responded to Trump's post. The pope is expected to arrive in Algiers on Monday.

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 11:30 p.m. ET.

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"The Sunday Eucharist is indispensable for Christian life," said Pope Leo XIV before reciting the Marian prayer of the Regina Caeli on April 12 in St. Peter's Square.

Speaking to crowds gathered in the square, the pope noted his upcoming departure for Africa, where "some martyrs of the early African Church, the Martyrs of Abitene, have left us a beautiful testimony in this regard."

"Faced with the offer to save their lives on the condition that they renounce celebrating the Eucharist, they replied that they could not live without celebrating the Lord's Day. It is there that our faith is nourished and grows," the Holy Father said.

"Because it is through the Eucharist that even our hands become 'hands of the Risen One,' witnesses of his presence, of his mercy, and of his peace, in the signs of work, of sacrifices, of illness, and of the passing of the years, which are often engraved upon them — just as in the tenderness of a caress, a handshake, or a gesture of charity," he said.

In his commentary on the April 12 Gospel for the second Sunday of Easter — dedicated by Pope John Paul II to Divine Mercy — the pope spoke about the faithful's encounter with Jesus: "Where can we find him? How can we recognize him? How can we believe?"

"Certainly, it is not always easy to believe. It was not easy for Thomas, and it is not easy for us either. Faith needs to be nourished and supported. For this reason, on the 'eighth day,' that is, every Sunday, the Church invites us to do as the first disciples did: to gather together and celebrate the Eucharist as one," he said.

The pope concluded: "In a world that is in such great need of peace, this commits us more than ever to be assiduous and faithful in our Eucharistic encounter with the Risen Lord, so that we may depart from it as witnesses of charity and bearers of reconciliation."

"May the Virgin Mary help us to do this — she who is blessed because she was the first to believe without seeing," he said.

After the prayer, Pope Leo XIV returned to the theme of peace. Recalling the Easter celebration of the Orthodox Churches, he said: "I accompany those communities with even more intense prayer for all those who suffer because of the war, in particular for the dear people of Ukraine."

"May the light of Christ bring comfort to afflicted hearts and strengthen the hope of peace. May the attention of the international community toward the drama of this war not diminish. I am also more than ever close to the beloved people of Lebanon in these days of sorrow, fear, and invincible hope in God."

"The principle of humanity, inscribed in the conscience of every person and recognized in international law, entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war. I appeal to the conflicting parties to cease fire and to urgently seek a peaceful solution," he said.

Next Wednesday marks three years since the beginning of the bloody conflict in Sudan. "How much the Sudanese people are suffering — innocent victims of this inhuman tragedy!" the pope said. "I renew my heartfelt appeal to the warring parties to silence the weapons and to begin, without preconditions, a sincere dialogue aimed at ending as soon as possible this fratricidal war."

The pope then greeted everyone: "I extend a warm welcome to all of you, Romans and pilgrims, especially to the faithful who have celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday at the Shrine of Santo Spirito in Sassia."

This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez of Palm Beach, Florida, advocated for greater internet access within Cuba and for Cubans to be able to exercise political freedom and freedom of expression, because this "forms part of human dignity."

The Dominican-born prelate made the appeal in an interview with "EWTN Noticias," the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News, after a March visit to Cuba to attend the installation of Osmany Massó Cuesta as bishop of Bayamo-Manzanillo.

Speaking with "EWTN Noticias," Rodríguez addressed recent events in the Caribbean nation, including the government's Holy Week announcement that it would release more than 2,000 people from prison.

The bishop stated that this was "a first step toward a long-term and more stable solution."

"It is certainly neither the definitive nor the complete solution, but it is a sign that should be appreciated as a positive step," he said.

He noted that this step "must be followed by other measures" capable of "increasingly guaranteeing the growing integral development of Cuban men and women at the social level."

"In Cuba," he stated, "a process must take place wherein Cubans are granted increasingly greater access to the internet, where the exercise of freedom of expression is made possible, and where political freedom — naturally — can also be exercised, for that is part of human dignity."

"However," he noted, "all of this must always proceed from an attitude of dialogue and collaboration."

Regarding the Catholic Church in Cuba, the prelate stated that in recent years, the bishops have been granted the opportunity "to speak on the radio," thereby enabling them to evangelize and provide moral support to the people "within the limitations inherent to the prevailing situation and circumstances."

In Cuba, where a one-party system is imposed, the internet is monopolized by the state-owned company ETECSA. The most affordable data plan available to citizens costs 120 Cuban pesos ($5) and offers only 2 GB. In contrast, a person arriving from abroad can access a minimum plan of 10 GB, although the cost is not listed on the website.

The state also holds a monopoly over print, television, and radio media. Those wishing to establish independent media outlets have the internet as their only alternative, albeit at the risk of being harassed and detained by the communist regime, as documented on March 11 by the Inter American Press Association.

The Catholic Church 'is no one's enemy'

Rodríguez first visited Cuba as a young man in 1998 on the occasion of the historic apostolic journey of St. John Paul II. He returned in 1999 as a missionary and lived on the island until 2000.

"Upon returning after 25 years, I have found a people who still possess the same faith, a people filled with hope, and a Church that has continued to grow and renew itself. However, suffering and distress in general have multiplied. When I was here more than 25 years ago, the humanitarian and social situation was already appalling."

"But now, the crisis has reached truly inhumane proportions … and our solidarity and response are urgently needed," Rodríguez emphasized.

The blackouts and shortages of food and medicine plaguing the island intensified starting in January, after the United States effectively stopped oil shipments from Mexico and Venezuela, a measure that has further complicated daily life, affecting, among other things, transportation, the accumulation of trash on the streets, and foreign tourism.

And although a Russian vessel arrived in late March carrying 730,000 barrels of oil and the U.S. government is sending donations to be distributed by Caritas Cuba, this is not enough.

Rodríguez therefore called upon the Cuban authorities to understand that the Catholic Church "is no one's enemy," for it is not married "to any ideology or to any political party" but rather preaches "Jesus Christ and his message of love, fraternity, respect for human dignity, peace, and hope."

"By working with the Church, they will be safeguarding the dignity of the Cuban people and will also be collaborating in a deliberate process aimed at implementing measures to restore the people's dignity," he stated.

"Therefore, I invite the authorities of Cuba — the government of Cuba — not to be afraid to collaborate" with the Church, Rodríguez urged, who assured that "we, the Catholic bishops of the United States, are here to support the bishops of Cuba in whatever is needed."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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U.S.-Iran peace talks collapsed on Sunday after a 21-hour marathon session, with Vice President JD Vance blaming Iran's refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear program, even as Catholic leaders in Rome and Washington condemned the broader conflict as immoral and pleaded "Enough of war!"

"The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. And I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America," Vance told reporters in Islamabad, where the meetings took place. "We've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That's the good news."

He added that the core impasse remained Iran's nuclear ambitions: "But the simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon. That is the core goal of the president of the United States. And that's what we've tried to achieve through these negotiations."

Vance emphasized that the U.S. side negotiated "in good faith," but Iran "has chosen not to accept our terms." He further noted, "We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We'll see if the Iranians accept it."

Iran has insisted the aims of its nuclear program are civilian.

The high-level face-to-face talks in Pakistan, a mediator between the two countries, followed weeks of military confrontation that began in late February and produced a tenuous two-week ceasefire, which ends April 22. With no deal secured, the future of that truce now hangs in greater uncertainty.

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pushed both sides to continue to "uphold their commitment to ceasefire."

Vance, a Catholic convert and Iraq War veteran, has reflected on the moral weight of these national security decisions in the context of his faith. Speaking to the Washington Post last week about U.S. actions to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, he said, "I certainly hope that God agrees with the decision that Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon, but I'll keep praying about it." He added that his approach has been "to pray that we are on God's side" because "that would mean a lot of innocent people dead."

Catholic leaders in the U.S. and at the Vatican have responded to the broader conflict with strong calls for peace and a return to dialogue.

In Rome, Pope Leo XIV led a peace vigil at the Vatican April 11, where he delivered a forceful appeal against the violence.

"Enough of war!" he declared, lamenting the human and spiritual cost of the fighting. He stressed that prayer is "the most free, universal and disruptive response to death," and is among the things that "break the demonic chain of evil and put themselves at the service of the Kingdom of God; a kingdom in which there is no sword, no drones, no revenge, no trivialization of evil, no unfair profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness."

He and other Catholic leaders have drawn on the Church's just war tradition, which holds that the use of force must meet strict moral criteria, including just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality, and discrimination between combatants and non-combatants.

The Holy Father called on all parties to reject escalation and instead commit to patient, honest dialogue aimed at genuine coexistence and the protection of civilians.

"Stop! It's time for peace! Sit at tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned and death actions are deliberated," he said.

At a special Mass for Peace held in Washington, also on April 11, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that the current war fails to meet the strict criteria of just war theory, particularly in light of civilian suffering and the risk of disproportionate harm.

The cardinal urged the faithful to pray for an immediate end to hostilities and for diplomats to pursue a just settlement that protects human life.

Predicting the failure of negotiations "because of recalcitrance on both sides" and the United States' reentry into hostilities after the ceasefire, he said:

"At that critical juncture, as disciples of Jesus Christ called to be peacemakers in the world, we must answer vocally and in unison: No," he said. "Not in our name. Not at this moment. Not with our country."

He warned of the "expansion of the war far beyond Iran, the disruption of the world economy, and the loss of life."

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The Chaldean Synod has elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona as the new Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, succeeding Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, who submitted his resignation to Pope Leo XIV on March 9 amid a financial and legal scandal concerning a former Chaldean bishop in San Diego.

The election took place during the synod's meetings held in Rome since April 9.

This election comes at a critical time for both the Chaldean Church and the wider region, amid ongoing political challenges in Iraq and the Middle East, as well as internal ecclesial issues related to unity and the organization of Church life both locally and in the diaspora.

Following the election, the Chaldean bishops issued a statement saying:
"After deep spiritual and fraternal deliberations, conducted in a spirit of prayer and ecclesial discernment, and mindful of the apostolic responsibility entrusted to them, the Fathers of the Synod elected the Patriarch of the Chaldean Church according to the established canonical procedures. After completing the required ballots, and in accordance with the will expressed by the Synod, His Excellency Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona was elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Church and chose for himself the name His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona."

The statement continued: "His Beatitude accepted the election in accordance with canonical norms, expressing his reliance on God's grace and his commitment to exercise his patriarchal ministry with fidelity and responsibility, in full communion with the Fathers of the Synod, in service of the unity of the Chaldean Church and its mission in the homeland and the diaspora."

"The Fathers of the Synod raise their prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, asking that He grant the elected Patriarch wisdom and strength," the statement continued. "They affirm their confidence that this ministry will contribute to strengthening the faithful in their faith, enhancing their unity, and revitalizing the Church's mission in bearing witness to the Gospel."

The Synod also called on all members of the Chaldean Church — clergy and faithful alike — to unite around the new Patriarch and support him through prayer and shared responsibility for the good of the Church and the growth of its mission.

Archbishop Nona was born in Alqosh in northern Iraq in 1967. He was ordained a priest in 1991 after completing his studies at the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad. He later pursued higher studies in Rome, earning a doctorate in theological anthropology from the Pontifical Lateran University.

He served in the parishes of Alqosh before being appointed Archbishop of Mosul in 2009, during a period marked by escalating violence against Christians in Iraq.

During the events of 2014, he left Mosul along with his faithful following the takeover of the city by the terrorist group ISIS, marking a pivotal moment in the modern history of the Chaldean Church.

In 2015, the Holy See appointed him head of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle in Australia and New Zealand, where he continued his pastoral ministry among the Chaldean diaspora.

His appointment comes following the resignation of Cardinal Raphael Sako, who announced that he submitted his resignation to Pope Leo XIV of his own free will on the morning of March 9 so he could "dedicate himself quietly to prayer, writing, and simple service."

The timing sparked controversy within the Chaldean community.

Pope Leo XIV on March 10 accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, a Chaldean Catholic bishop arrested in San Diego in March on charges of embezzling Church funds.

Sako had allegedly attempted to support or transfer the embattled bishop to a higher position, leading many to question whether the financial scandal played a role in the patriarch's decision.

This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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On the heels of his first apostolic visit of 2026 to Monaco on March 28 and after presiding over Holy Week and Easter events and celebrations, Pope Leo XIV is making final preparations for his 10-day papal visit to four countries in Africa from April 13–23.

The pontiff's first apostolic trip to Africa comes at a time when the continent accounts for about 20% of Catholics worldwide and is experiencing significant growth in priestly vocations.

Here are nine important facts to know about Pope Leo XIV's trip to Africa:

1. The pope will visit four countries and 11 cities in 10 days.

Pope Leo will spend 10 days in Africa and will visit four countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, with stops in 11 cities across those nations. The Vatican estimates he will travel more than 11,000 miles on 18 separate flights during this single trip, underscoring how demanding modern papal travel has become.

Leo will celebrate eight public Masses and deliver 24 speeches and homilies during the visit. He is expected to speak French in Algeria and Cameroon, Portuguese in Angola, and Spanish in Equatorial Guinea as well as English throughout the trip.

2. He follows in the footsteps of other modern popes.

This is Pope Leo's third international trip and his first apostolic journey to Africa — taking place less than a year after his election.

In his 12 years of pontificate, Pope Francis made five trips to Africa and visited 10 countries. Benedict XVI made two apostolic trips, visiting three countries, and Pope John Paul II made 11 trips to Africa, visiting 41 countries during his 26-year pontificate. 

Pope Paul VI was the first reigning pope ever to visit Africa when he traveled to Uganda from July 31 to Aug. 2, 1969.

3. Pope Leo's polyglot talent will be on full display.

Pope Leo speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and he can read Latin and German, which makes it very likely he will use several of these languages during his visit. It is also likely that Arabic will appear in greetings or prepared texts.

According to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, the pope's Africa itinerary will showcase the main languages of the four host countries: Arabic and French in Algeria, English and French in Cameroon, Portuguese in Angola, and Spanish in Equatorial Guinea, which is the only African country that has Spanish as its official language.

4. This is the first-ever papal visit to Algeria.

Pope Leo will become the first pope in history to visit Algeria, the largest African country and where Islam is the state religion. Algeria has roughly 45 million to 48 million people, but only a few thousand Catholics — often estimated at no more than 10,000, a fraction of 1%. Most Catholics are expatriates, sub-Saharan African students, migrant workers, diplomats, and religious.

5. The visit will highlight the pope's Augustine connection.

The Algerian leg of the journey intentionally traces the footsteps of St. Augustine of Hippo, connecting Pope Leo's trip to one of the most influential doctors of the Church who lived and died in North Africa.

He will visit Annaba, a place that underlines his personal devotion to St. Augustine and his Augustinian identity. While there, he will visit the archaeological site of Hippo, meet Augustinian religious, and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Augustine, which makes this first leg of the trip a kind of pilgrimage to his "father" in faith, echoing his own description of himself as "a son of St. Augustine."

6. The pope will visit a mosque for the second time.

In Algiers, the pope is scheduled to visit the Great Mosque of Algiers — one of the largest mosques in the world — as a concrete gesture of interreligious dialogue. This will be his second visit to a mosque as a pope. He visited the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, during his first international trip in November 2025.

7. His journey will be marked by works of mercy.

Throughout the pope's papal visit to Africa there will be several encounters that explicitly highlight the Church's works of mercy. These include the pope's plan to visit an orphanage and a hospital in Cameroon, a nursing home in Angola, the Little Sisters of the Poor in Algeria, and a psychiatric hospital and prison in Equatorial Guinea.

8. A record-breaking rosary is expected to take place in Angola. 

In Angola, local authorities expect to host a record-breaking event at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, a Marian shrine in Angola's Diocese of Viana and one of the country's most important pilgrimage sites. The pope will lead a public rosary where roughly 2 million pilgrims are expected to attend.

Additionally, this will be the first time a pope visits the Muxima shrine since its founding in 1599.

9. The trip will end with a visit to one of Africa's smallest countries — Equatorial Guinea.

The last leg of the pope's trip will be to Equatorial Guinea. One of the smallest countries of Africa, it's similar in size to the state of Maryland. In this country nearly 90% of the population is Catholic, making it one of the most heavily Catholic nations on the African continent.

The small nation is welcoming a pope after 44 years. Pope John Paul II visited Equatorial Guinea in 1982.

Pope Leo plans to visit Bata Prison, a facility criticized internationally for its conditions, signaling a clear concern for prisoners and human rights.

He will also pray at a monument for the victims of the Bata explosions, a disaster that killed about 100 people and injured 500, bringing a strong message of consolation and remembrance.

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