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Pope Leo will travel between April 13 and 23 through Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering long distances estimated at nearly 18,000 kilometres. The schedule includes stops in 11 different towns and cities and will involve 18 flights during the 10-day mission.
The address, given annually at the start of the year, allowed the pope to outline his priorities for global diplomacy. He warned that multilateral institutions are losing influence and stressed that adherence to international humanitarian law is essential to protect civilians and maintain some humanity amid warfare.
Leo delivered his message while joining Patriarch Bartholomew and leaders from various churches; including Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Protestant churches and Eastern Catholic churches, for events marking 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea.
In his speech, Pope Leo, condemned critics who “ridicule those who speak of global warming,” echoing the words of his predecessor Pope Francis. His comments come just weeks after US President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a “con,” making the Pope’s message widely seen as a direct response to climate sceptics.
His appointment marks Pope Leo’s first public action on an issue that has severely undermined the Church’s moral authority and sparked international outcry.
Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, who worked in quality control in Goma, was abducted and killed after he rejected a bribe meant to allow spoiled rice to be transported from Rwanda into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking from St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict, marking one of his most forceful calls for peace since ascending to the papacy five weeks ago.
While the pontiff refrained from referencing any specific political events or naming global leaders, his message carried weight calling on the faithful to “open the borders of their hearts and minds.”