Equatorial Guinea’s spiritual preparation for historic papal visit

The local Church hopes the visit will mark a “before and an after,” more than four decades after the last. Note: This text was written before Pope Leo’s visit, taking place there from April 21 to 23, the final stop of an African journey that also took him to Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola. The Church …

A New Momentum for Angolan Youth

Angola’s bishops hope the pope’s visit will inspire the country’s youth and help heal the past Pope Leo will visit Angola on April 18, as part of a trip to Africa which includes Algeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. Angola is a land of paradoxes; like many African nations, it is rich in natural resources, yet …

Angola: “We cannot host the ‘Messenger of Peace’ with our hearts full of hate”

As the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to hear the Gospel prepares to receive a visit from Pope Leo XIV, the Church makes a renewed appeal for reconciliation in Angola. Pope Leo XIV will travel to Angola from April 18 to 21 as part of his apostolic journey to Africa, which also includes Algeria, Cameroon, …

Algeria: Visit of Pope Leo XIV bolsters mission of small, vibrant Church and dialogue with Islam

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria yesterday, April 13, for a historic visit that shines a spotlight on the small but vibrant local Church and the role of dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Following his arrival in Algiers on Monday, the Holy Father visited Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba) on Tuesday, April 14, including sites linked …

The “Son of St. Augustine” visits Annaba

The Vatican has officially confirmed that this coming April, Pope Leo will visit Algeria, making this the first-ever visit from a current pope. Leo XIV, who is an Augustinian by formation, will visit Algiers and Hippo Regius – the historical name of Annaba – following in the footsteps of St. Augustine. In this interview with …

Pope Leo XIV echoes Cuban bishops’ warning that fuel blockade could cause “chaos and social violence”

“Cuba needs reforms, and these are increasingly urgent, but what it does not need is more anguish and pain. No more loss of life or mourning within Cuban families,” say the island’s bishops. During the recitation of the Angelus, on Sunday, February 1, Pope Leo said he has been following “the troubling news regarding an …

Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul: “Our community awaits the arrival of Pope Leo XIV with profound joy and anticipation”

This year, the Church commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, an important anniversary for the entire Christian world. This November, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Turkey, where the council was held, fulfilling the commitment made by Pope Francis before his death. International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in …

“Just like St. Peter, I was freed by a ‘miraculous earthquake,’” says Pakistani Christian

Shagufta Kausar was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy and spent over eight years in prison. She recently shared her story at the launching of the Religious Freedom in the World Report, in Rome. In the summer of 2013, a mob broke into the simple house where Shagufta Kausar lived with her paralyzed husband, Shafqat …

Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide

The Holy Father receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, October 10, 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International in a private audience at the Vatican, marking 25 years of the charity’s continued mission to defend the right to religious …

Pope thanks children who prayed for peace in ACN campaign

This was the 20th edition of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN’)’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign. Pope Leo XIV kept up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by promoting the One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign, organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), on social media,with a …