Which African countries has Pope Francis visited?
In the last decade, the Pope has made several significant visits to Africa to reinforce the Vatican’s commitment to peace, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian efforts. These visits often highlight issues such as poverty, conflict resolution, religious tolerance, and social justice.
Below is a list of African countries Pope Francis has visited:
Pope Francis visited Kenya from November 25 to 27, 2015. During his stay, he addressed issues such as poverty, inequality, and the importance of interfaith dialogue.
From November 27 to 29, 2015, Pope Francis was in Uganda to honour the legacy of the Ugandan Martyrs and encourage unity and service among the faithful.
Central African Republic – November 2015
On November 29 and 30, 2015, Pope Francis visited the Central African Republic amidst ongoing conflict, advocating for peace and opening the Holy Door in Bangui as a symbol of hope.
In April 2017, Pope Francis travelled to Egypt to promote interfaith dialogue and strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and the Muslim community.
Pope Francis visited Morocco in March 2019, focusing on interreligious dialogue and expressing support for the migrant community.
Mozambique: September 2019
Pope Francis visited the African Republic of Mozambique in 2019, becoming the first pope to visit the African nation since John Paul II in 1988. During his visit, he attended an interreligious gathering of thousands of young people and visited various social apostolic ministries in the country.
Madagascar: September 2019
Pope Francis travelled to Madagascar after spending a few days in the Republic of Mozambique. On the second day of his arrival, over 1 million worshipers made their way to Soamandrakizay stadium in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, to hear the pope say mass.
Mauritius: September 2019
Pope Francis arrived in Mauritius in September 2019, accompanied by a papal delegation of around 45 persons. During his visit, The pope celebrated mass at the Mary Queen of Peace Monument, the same hillside location where John Paul II celebrated the eucharist during the last papal visit to Mauritius in 1989.
Democratic Republic of Congo (January 2023)
In January 2023, Pope Francis made his third visit to Sub-Saharan Africa, this time to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During his visit, the pope celebrated a special papal Mass in Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital city, which was attended by more than 1 million African faithful.
South Sudan (February 2023)
After his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Pope Francis embarked on a three-day trip to South Sudan. The highlight of the trip was the Sunday Mass attended by more than 100,000 people in Juba.
