Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV said his recent visit to four African nations was a strong message of peace at a time when the world is facing wars and repeated violations of international law.
Speaking during his weekly General Audience in St Peter’s Square, Pope looked back on his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea from April 13 to 23. He said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet people across the continent and witness their faith and hope for a better future.
He described the visit as a pastoral mission to encourage communities and listen to their concerns. According to him, many people used the moment to express their joy as God’s people and their desire for dignity and justice.
In Algeria, Pope highlighted the importance of building bridges between cultures and religions. He said the visit showed that people of different faiths can live together in harmony when they recognise a shared humanity. He also recalled following the spiritual path of Saint Augustine, whom he described as a guide in the search for truth.
Moving to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, Pope said he encountered communities deeply longing for justice and peace. In Cameroon, he stressed the need for unity, especially in regions affected by conflict, and encouraged efforts toward reconciliation and fair development.
In Angola, he reflected on the country’s difficult past and said the Church continues to play a role in promoting peace, human dignity and social progress. He noted the strong faith of the people, which he said offers hope despite past suffering and unmet promises.
One of the most moving moments of the journey, he said, was his visit to a prison in Bata in Equatorial Guinea. He recalled prisoners singing and praying together in the rain, calling it a powerful sign of faith and transformation.
Pope concluded by thanking civil authorities and Church leaders in all four countries for their warm welcome. He said the experience remains a lasting source of strength for his mission and a reminder that hope and peace are still alive in many parts of the world.