Pope Leo makes history as he visits fastest growing Catholic region in Africa for first time

Pope Leo makes history as he visits fastest growing Catholic region in Africa for first timeThe Pope has embarked on an 11-day tour of Africa with one country visit that holds deep significance to the head of the Vatican - amid comments made by President TrumpCommentsNewsNiamh Kirk Lifestyle Writer17:09, 13 Apr 2026Updated 17:10, 13 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesPope Leo has a personal connection to the place he is visiting(Image: ABACA/Shutterstock)Pope Leo XIV has made it a 'personal priority' to visit the African nations with the fastest growing number of Catholics.‌In an 11-day trip, Pope Leo wants to "turn the world's attention to Africa" according to a senior Vatican official. The tour will reflect Africa's increasing importance to to Catholicism, as the Vatican says a recent survey shows a "remarkable increase" in the number of baptised Catholics on the continent.‌Addressing themes of peace, migration and dialogue between religions, more than a fifth of the world's Catholics live in Africa, which is roughly 288 million people - making it one of the fastest growing regions.‌In his second major foreign tour since being elected, and becoming history's first US-born Pope, it will include visits to 11 cities in four countries - Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.READ MORE: Pope Leo hits back at Donald Trump over Iran – 'Misunderstanding the Gospel'View 2 ImagesThe Pope is currently on an 11-day tour of African regions(Image: Christopher Furlong, Getty Images)All countries but Algeria are have a large Catholic following, making his visit there the first by any pope. The North African country holds "deep significance" to him, as it's the birthplace of St Augustine, and Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the order that follows his teachings according to BBC.‌The ideas of the 4th Century North African theologian, such as community and humility, are what helped shape him in becoming the...