The Holy Father visited four countries during his first apostolic visit to Africa.
Pope Leo XIV holds aloft the Evangeliary during Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV departed Africa and returned to Rome on April 23, concluding an 11-day visit to several countries that marked his first visit as pope to the continent.
The Holy Father departed Equatorial Guinea after saying Mass at the coastal nationʼs Malabo Stadium. He had earlier visited Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola throughout mid-April.
Hereʼs a look at Leo XIVʼs departure from Africa and return home:
Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Catholics smile during Mass with Pope Leo XIV at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV greets the faithful during Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a family during Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV holds the chalice aloft during Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds pray the Mass with Pope Leo XIV at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV stands beneath a towering crucifix during Mass at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV views a statue of the Virgin Mother and Christ Child at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV participates in a farewell ceremony at the Malabo International Airport in Equatorial Guinea before leaving the country to fly back to Rome at the conclusion of his 11-day Africa trip on April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks aboard the papal plane from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Rome, following an 11-day trip in Africa, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane to Rome, Thursday, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!
Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.
“I am not exiled, I am liberated. I do not feel exiled, but liberated,” emphasized Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez during an exclusive interview with EWTN in February 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Vatican City, Aug 28, 2019 / 04:39 am (CNA).- An important aspect of the Christian life is obeying God even when there may be consequences for going against the commands of others, Pope Francis said during the general audience Wednesday.
Despite hardships and challenges they look happy and energetic. Africans are blessed with a vibrant faith. The future of the Catholic Church is in safe hands.
By 
Despite hardships and challenges they look happy and energetic. Africans are blessed with a vibrant faith. The future of the Catholic Church is in safe hands.