by Fortune Madondo

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) has concluded a 10‑day Apostolic Journey to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea from April 13–23, 2026. The trip underscored the Vatican’s growing focus on Africa, where Catholicism is expanding faster than anywhere else in the world.

Throughout the tour, the Pope delivered pointed messages on Africa’s development challenges, denouncing neo‑colonial exploitation, entrenched corruption, and economic systems that enrich elites while leaving millions in poverty. He urged accountable leadership, interfaith dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peace, while also raising the question of Africa’s place within the global Catholic Church.

Interfaith Dialogue in Algeria

Landing first in Algeria, a Muslim‑majority nation, Pope Leo XIV emphasised harmony between faiths, declaring “No Holy Wars” and calling for “holy peace.” His visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers symbolised the Vatican’s commitment to interreligious dialogue, a message resonating across a continent where religious tensions often fuel conflict.

Denouncing Neo‑Colonialism in Cameroon

In Cameroon, before an estimated 20,000 worshippers at Bamenda Airport, the Pope condemned foreign powers for exploiting Africa’s resources “in the name of profit.” He linked external plunder to internal mismanagement, warning that global competition for oil and rare minerals perpetuates inequality and instability.

Corruption in Angola

Addressing Angolans, Pope Leo XIV described corruption as a “scourge” undermining development. Despite Angola’s oil wealth, nearly a third of its 40 million citizens live in poverty. Local voices echoed his appeal: “We need real democracy and redistribution of wealth,” said Father Pedro Chingandu. The Pope urged leaders to break free from “chains of corruption” and serve the common good.

‘Economies That Kill’ in Equatorial Guinea

In Equatorial Guinea, the Pope highlighted stark inequalities in resource‑rich economies. Oil accounts for nearly half of GDP and over 90% of exports, yet more than half the population lives in poverty. He warned against “economies that kill,” where wealth benefits ruling elites while ordinary citizens remain marginalised—a pattern mirrored across much of Africa.

Leadership Accountability

The Pope’s words carried particular weight in countries led by ageing, long‑serving rulers. In Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has held power for 46 years, while Cameroon’s Paul Biya has ruled for 43. Pope Leo XIV reminded them that governance must be about “accountability rather than authority,” a diplomatic but direct challenge to entrenched leadership.

Youth: Stay and Build

Speaking to students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the Pope urged young Africans to resist the lure of migration and instead apply their education to national development. “Respond with an ardent desire to serve your country,” he said, warning against brain drain and encouraging youth to harness Africa’s natural wealth to transform their nations. His appeal comes amid rising migration: by 2024, 21 million Africans were living in another African country, with millions more overseas.

Africa as Catholicism’s New Epicentre

Africa now represents the fastest‑growing part of the Catholic Church, with membership rising from 281 million in 2023 to 288 million in 2024. Pope Leo XIV praised the African church as a “dynamic reality,” yet critics note that Africa remains underrepresented in Vatican leadership.

Out of 121 cardinals eligible to elect a pope, only 14 are African, compared to 18 from Italy alone. Despite decades of papal recognition—from Paul VI’s call for “African Christianity” in 1969 to Benedict XVI’s description of Africa as the “spiritual lung” of the Church—the continent has yet to achieve ecclesiastical autonomy.

Decolonisation of Faith

The Pope’s visit reignited calls for a self‑reliant African Catholic Church. While African parishes thrive, they remain financially dependent on Europe and North America, mirroring global inequalities. Advocates argue that decolonising faith—building equal partnerships and empowering African leadership—is essential if the Church is to become a catalyst for social, economic, and political transformation on the continent.

Message of Peace

The Pope’s visit to Bamenda, the epicentre of Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict, reinforced his role as a peacemaker. He called for reconciliation and an end to violence, urging African youth to remain and build their nations rather than migrate abroad.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV’s African journey was both pastoral and political, confronting corruption, exploitation, and inequality while advocating interfaith harmony and peace. His message was clear: Africa’s future depends on accountable leadership, equitable economies, and a decolonised faith that empowers the continent to shape its own destiny.

• F. Madondo (African Teacher) fortmada123@gmail.com