In a statement released yesterday, the Holy See confirmed that the Holy Father’s 11-day Apostolic Journey will take him to four African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. According to Vatican officials, the pope is to visit Algiers and Annaba in Algeria April 13-15; Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala in Cameroon April 15-18; Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo in Angola April 18-21; and Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata in Equatorial Guinea April 21-23. The pastoral visits are in response to “invitations of the respective heads of state and ecclesiastical authorities,” Vatican officials have said, adding that “the program of the journey will be published at a later date.”
