Pope bids farewell to Algeria, departs for Cameroon

April 15, 2026

Following a farewell ceremony in Algiers (video), Pope Leo XIV departed this morning on a five-hour flight to Cameroon (map).

Today is the third day of the Pontiff’s apostolic journey to four African nations. During his two days in Algeria, Pope Leo delivered a homily and four addresses, as well as impromptu remarks at the Great Mosque of Algiers. The Pope will visit three cities in Cameroon before his scheduled departure on April 18.

Islam is the official religion of Algeria, and 98% of Algeria’s 47.7 million people are Muslim. Cameroon, a nation of 31.8 million, is 58% Christian (28% Catholic), 22% Muslim, and 19% ethnic religionist.

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CWN coverage of Pope Leo’s apostolic journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea:

Day 1 (April 13)

• Pope departs for Africa
• Pope Leo: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’
• I am ‘very happy’ to visit the land of St. Augustine, Pope says on flight to Algeria
• ‘The future belongs to men and women of peace,’ Pope says in first Algerian address
• Pope calls on Algeria’s leaders to promote ‘vibrant, dynamic, and free civil society’
• Pope visits Great Mosque of Algiers, recalls St. Augustine’s search for truth
• Pope emphasizes prayer, charity, unity in address to Algerian Catholics

Day 2 (April 14)

• Pope spends day in Annaba, emphasizes ‘Christians are truly born from above’

Day 3 (April 15)

• Pope bids farewell to Algeria, departs for Cameroon
• Pope, in remarks to journalists, highlights importance, relevance of St. Augustine
• Pope calls on Cameroon to embrace peace, break chains of corruption
• ‘Jesus cares especially for children like you,’ Pope tells orphans in Cameroon

Day 4 (April 16)

• Pope hails peacemaking efforts of Christian, Muslim leaders in Cameroon
• Now is the time to change this country, Pope preaches in Cameroon
• Pope meets with several Muslim leaders in Cameroon

Day 5 (April 17)

• ‘Bring the bread of life to your neighbors,’ Pope preaches in Cameroon’s largest city
• Societies flourish on the foundation of upright consciences that seek the truth, Pope tells university students

Day 6 (April 18)

• Draw near to the suffering and the poor, as Jesus did, Pope preaches at final Cameroon Mass
• Pope Leo departs from Cameroon, says his remarks there did not refer to President Trump
• Pope hails joy of Angola’s people, denounces extractivism

Day 7 (April 19)

• Pope, at Mass in Angola, warns faithful against syncretism, encourages them to ‘become like broken bread’
• Pope renews call for peace in Ukraine, Middle East
• May the Mother of the Heart make our hearts like hers, Pope says at Rosary in Angola

 

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