00:00Pope Lear XIV will make his first major overseas trip of 2026 next month,
00:06touring four African nations where the Catholic Church is growing fastest.
00:11The Vatican announced Wednesday the pontiff will visit Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon from April 13th to the 23rd.
00:21He will be the first pope to visit Algeria, a predominantly Muslim nation where 4th century St. Augustine of Hippo,
00:29a major church figure, was born.
00:31Reverend Abunkiyame Herobato, a Nigerian Jesuit, said Pope Leo's visit will remind the world that Africa matters
00:39and the vibrancy of the church in Africa remains at the heart of a thriving global church.
00:45About 20% of the world's Catholics live on the continent.
00:49Before Africa, Pope Leo will make a one-day visit to Monaco on March 28th.
00:55In June, he heads to Spain, including the Canary Islands, a major entry point for migrants.
01:01The pope is also expected to visit Peru, where he previously served as a missionary later this year.
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