Pope Leo XIV finishes his trip to Africa
Introduction
Pope Leo XIV visited four countries in Africa for 11 days. He finished on April 23, 2025. He had a big final church service in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This was his first trip to Africa as pope. He visited Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola. Many people came to see him. He had a public disagreement with US President Donald Trump.
Main Body
The trip was very long. He traveled about 17,700 kilometers on 18 flights. In Equatorial Guinea, about 30,000 people came to a stadium in the rain. During his talk, he spoke about a local priest who died. He asked for more information about the death. At the same time, President Trump said bad things about the pope. Trump said the pope was "terrible" on April 12. Vice President JD Vance told the pope to be careful about what he says about religion. The pope first said he would continue to speak. Later, he said the news made the problem bigger. He said his speeches were ready weeks before. The pope wanted to give hope to Catholics. He also said foreign countries take things from Africa. He called this "colonization." Some special events: He visited a hospital for people with mental health problems in Sampaka. He went to a prayer place in Angola. That place was a center for the slave trade in the past. He visited a convent in Algeria and bought a necklace for his niece. In Cameroon, he asked for peace in a long fight. He also said some leaders are bad for the world. Later, he said he did not mean Trump. He visited a prison in Bata. The prisoners wore new clothes and sang. After he left, they shouted for freedom. The trip also remembered Pope Francis, who died one year ago. He talked with reporters and celebrated birthdays. He said Angola may get a new cardinal in the future.
Conclusion
The pope returned to Rome on the evening of April 23. He will have a news meeting soon. The trip showed the pope's work with local people and world politics. There was tension with the US government about foreign policy and religion.