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.
People sing as they wait for the pope at Malabo Stadium on Thursday.
Misper Apawu/AP
Young dancers perform in front of Leo as he meets with members of the public in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday, April 22.
Young dancers perform in front of Leo as he meets with members of the public in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday, April 22.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
The pope presides over a Mass in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday.
The pope presides over a Mass in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday.
ABACA/Shutterstock
An inmate holds a flag with an image of the pope during the pope's visit to the Bata prison on Wednesday.
An inmate holds a flag with an image of the pope during the pope's visit to the Bata prison on Wednesday.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
Leo meets with Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the Presidential Palace in Malabo on Tuesday, April 21.
Leo meets with Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the Presidential Palace in Malabo on Tuesday, April 21.
Vatican Media/Catholic Press Photo/ipa-agency.net/Shutterstock
People in Malabo wait for the pope's arrival on Tuesday.
People in Malabo wait for the pope's arrival on Tuesday.
Misper Apawu/AP
Leo arrives to lead a Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday, April 20.
Leo arrives to lead a Mass in Saurimo, Angola, on Monday, April 20.
Vatican Media Handout/EPA/Shutterstock
People in Saurimo wait for the start of Monday's Mass.
People in Saurimo wait for the start of Monday's Mass.
Andrew Medichini/AP
The pope shakes hands with Bishop Monsignor Emilio Sumbelelo in Muxima, Angola, on Sunday, April 19.
The pope shakes hands with Bishop Monsignor Emilio Sumbelelo in Muxima, Angola, on Sunday, April 19.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
A person holds a rosary ahead of the pope's holy rosary prayer in Muxima.
A person holds a rosary ahead of the pope's holy rosary prayer in Muxima.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
People camped overnight to attend the pope's prayer in Muxima.
People camped overnight to attend the pope's prayer in Muxima.
Phill Magakoe/AFP/Getty Images
Leo meets with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday, April 18.
Leo meets with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday, April 18.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
The pope waves after arriving in Luanda on Saturday.
The pope waves after arriving in Luanda on Saturday.
Themba Hadebe/AP
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.
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.
Misper Apawu/AP
Leo greets a woman and child as he visits the St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17.
Leo greets a woman and child as he visits the St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17.
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Reuters
A woman holds a rosary and a Vatican flag as the pope leads a Mass in Douala on Friday.
A woman holds a rosary and a Vatican flag as the pope leads a Mass in Douala on Friday.
Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP/Getty Images
Leo arrives for a Mass in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16.
Leo arrives for a Mass in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
The pope releases a dove at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda on April 16.
The pope releases a dove at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda on April 16.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
Leo kneels inside St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda.
Leo kneels inside St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda.
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Abaca Press/Sipa USA via AP
A woman prays during a Mass celebrated by the pope in Bamenda.
A woman prays during a Mass celebrated by the pope in Bamenda.
Andrew Medichini/AP
The pope, seen in the background, arrives with cardinals and bishops for the Mass in Bamenda.
The pope, seen in the background, arrives with cardinals and bishops for the Mass in Bamenda.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Leo waves to supporters after visiting an orphange in Yaounde, Cameroon, on April 15.
Leo waves to supporters after visiting an orphange in Yaounde, Cameroon, on April 15.
Alberto Pizzoli/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Children look on as the pope visits the orphanage in Yaounde.
Children look on as the pope visits the orphanage in Yaounde.
Alberto Pizzoli/Pool via Reuters
Leo waves after arriving in Yaounde on April 15.
Leo waves after arriving in Yaounde on April 15.
Luc Gnago/Reuters
Children wave flags outside the Presidential Palace in Yaounde.
Children wave flags outside the Presidential Palace in Yaounde.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
An Algerian Air Force plane escorts the pope's plane as it travels to Cameroon.
An Algerian Air Force plane escorts the pope's plane as it travels to Cameroon.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Leo arrives for Mass at the St. Augustine Basilica in Annaba, Algeria, on April 14.
Leo arrives for Mass at the St. Augustine Basilica in Annaba, Algeria, on April 14.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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.
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.
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media via Reuters
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.
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.
Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP via Getty Images
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 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.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
Leo attends a meeting with the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa on April 13.
Leo attends a meeting with the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa on April 13.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
The pope shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Presidential Palace in Algiers.
The pope shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Presidential Palace in Algiers.
Luca Zennaro/Reuters
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.
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.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
People listen to the pope's speech at the Martyrs' Memorial.
People listen to the pope's speech at the Martyrs' Memorial.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
Leo disembarks from his plane after landing in Algeria on April 13.
Leo disembarks from his plane after landing in Algeria on April 13.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
The pope speaks to the press during his flight to Algeria. Leo has been <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F04%2F04%2Fmiddleeast%2Fpope-leo-iran-war-analysis-latam-intl">speaking out lately</a> against the current conflict in the Middle East, saying God can’t be used to justify war. US President Donald Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F04%2F12%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-pope-leo-criticism-hnk-intl">criticized the pope</a> 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.”
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.”
Matteo Pernaselci/Vatican Pool/Getty Images