Pope Leo XIV’s first official trip to Africa has started with a fascinating stop in Algeria. Here the pontiff’s visit to the Grand Mosque of Algiers is an attempt to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations. The stop is also to pay homage to Saint Augustine, founder of the order that he is a member of. Catherine Conybeare,…
President Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy social media post Sunday night, calling the pontiff “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” Leo has been critical of the war in Iran and has previously made statements at odds with other priorities of the Trump administration, such as the ongoing crackdown…
Algiers — Pope Leo has responded to sharply-worded criticism from the President, saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and will continue to speak out “loudly” for the message of the Gospel. Late Sunday, Mr. Trump lashed out at the pontiff on social media, calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign…
Pope Leo XIV on Monday begins his most ambitious trip since becoming head of the Catholic Church, travelling across four African countries with a focus on peace, inequality and interfaith dialogue. The 70-year-old will cover more than 18,000 kilometres across Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea – delivering 11 speeches and presiding over seven masses before returning on 23 April. Follow…
President Donald Trump sharply rebuked Pope Leo XIV in remarks to reporters and on social media Sunday, calling the first American leader of the Catholic Church “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. “I don’t think he’s doing a…
Pope Leo XIV offered his strongest condemnation yet of the war in Iran, appearing to take multiple veiled shots at President Trump on Saturday, speaking out against military actions “some adults proudly boast about.” The rebuke, during a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica, comes days after the pope said it was “truly…
Pope Leo XIV will begin his journey to four African countries – Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea – on April 13, 2026. Africa represents the fastest-growing part of the Catholic Church worldwide, seeing an increase from 281 million members in 2023 to over 288 million in 2024. The Vatican has announced a theme for…
Pope Leo’s decision to make Africa one of the early destinations of his young papacy signals the continent’s importance in global Catholicism. His April 2026 visit reflects both his personal ties to Africa and the rapid rise of Christianity across the continent. His 10-day itinerary to Algeria, Angola, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea is also historically…
Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross for all of the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on his first Good Friday as pontiff, marking the first time in decades that a pope carried the cross to every station. “I think it will be an important sign because of what…
Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good, especially to uphold Catholic teaching on protecting the sanctity of life. Leo made a one-day trip to the glitzy enclave, becoming the first pope to visit since Pope Paul III came…
