By choosing to visit Africa now, Pope Leo is making a clear statement: Africa matters. In 2025 alone, the African Catholic church had 8.3 million new members. Read more: Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians? Pope Paul VI was the first modern pope to visit Africa, in 1969. Pope Leo’s visit is a key moment for the Catholic Church in Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 10, 2026 14:38 UTC