Pope Leo XIV left Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday, bringing an end to his 11-day trip that took him to four African countries.
Last week, Leo became the first pope to ever set foot in Algeria, which is home to a tiny Catholic population of around 8,000. He then visited Cameroon and Angola.
Christian-Muslim relations were high on his agenda. Africa is a continent where the Catholic Church is growing and where the church frequently plays an influential role in civil society through education and healthcare and helping to mediate in conflicts. According to Vatican statistics, Catholics on the continent now make up around 20% of believers worldwide.
People sing as they wait for the pope at Malabo Stadium on Thursday.
Young dancers perform in front of Leo as he meets with members of the public in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday, April 22.
The pope presides over a Mass in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday.
An inmate holds a flag with an image of the pope during the pope's visit to the Bata prison on Wednesday.
Leo meets with Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the Presidential Palace in Malabo on Tuesday, April 21.
People in Malabo wait for the pope's arrival on Tuesday.
Leo arrives to lead a Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday, April 20.
People in Saurimo wait for the start of Monday's Mass.
The pope shakes hands with Bishop Monsignor Emilio Sumbelelo in Muxima, Angola, on Sunday, April 19.
A person holds a rosary ahead of the pope's holy rosary prayer in Muxima.
People camped overnight to attend the pope's prayer in Muxima.
Leo meets with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday, April 18.
The pope waves after arriving in Luanda on Saturday.
Garments featuring printed images of Leo are displayed in a tailor's shop Saturday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea is the last stop on the pope's 11-day Africa tour.
Leo greets a woman and child as he visits the St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17.
A woman holds a rosary and a Vatican flag as the pope leads a Mass in Douala on Friday.
Leo arrives for a Mass in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16.
The pope releases a dove at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda on April 16.
Leo kneels inside St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda.
A woman prays during a Mass celebrated by the pope in Bamenda.
The pope, seen in the background, arrives with cardinals and bishops for the Mass in Bamenda.
Leo waves to supporters after visiting an orphange in Yaounde, Cameroon, on April 15.
Children look on as the pope visits the orphanage in Yaounde.
Leo waves after arriving in Yaounde on April 15.
Children wave flags outside the Presidential Palace in Yaounde.
An Algerian Air Force plane escorts the pope's plane as it travels to Cameroon.
Leo arrives for Mass at the St. Augustine Basilica in Annaba, Algeria, on April 14.
Leo plants a tree during his visit to the archaeological site of Hippo Regius in Annaba. Annaba is where Saint Augustine of Hippo served as a bishop in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. Saint Augustine, one of Christianity’s most influential figures, is the inspiration for the religious order of the Augustinians, of which Leo is a member and former leader.
A worker prepares communion wafers at the Clarisse nunnery in Yaounde, Cameroon, on April 14. Cameroon was the pope's second stop on his Africa trip.
Leo visits the Great Mosque of Algiers with the mosque's rector, Mohammed Al-Mamoun Al-Qasimi Al-Hassani, on April 13. The pope arrived in the Algerian capital earlier in the day.
Leo attends a meeting with the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa on April 13.
The pope shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Presidential Palace in Algiers.
Leo lays a wreath as he visits the Martyrs' Memorial in El Madania, Algeria. The monument was built to remember those who died in Algeria's war of independence.
People listen to the pope's speech at the Martyrs' Memorial.
Leo disembarks from his plane after landing in Algeria on April 13.
The pope speaks to the press during his flight to Algeria. Leo has been speaking out lately against the current conflict in the Middle East, saying God can’t be used to justify war. US President Donald Trump criticized the pope in a post on Truth Social, describing the pontiff as “terrible for Foreign Policy” and saying that “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” Aboard his plane Monday, Leo said, “The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone,” but added, “I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.”
