To display this YouTube content, you must allow advertising and audience measurement cookies.

An extension on your browser appears to be blocking the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must disable it on this site.

First modification: 04/21/2026 - 17:19

The pontiff undertook an ambitious tour of four African countries, and from there he became involved in political issues by criticizing a world ravaged by "tyrants" and "despots" who exploit natural resources. In this broadcast of Africa 7 Days we analyze the interests that motivate the head of the Catholic Church to strengthen ties with the faithful of the continent and what his mediating role is like in internal and international conflicts, in addition to whether or not there are variations with his predecessors.

From a moderate rhetoric to a more active and incisive one. About to complete his first year at the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has raised the tone of his statements on the international situation, a turn that has become especially visible during his tour of Africa.

“The world is being devastated by a handful of tyrants,” he said from Cameroon. Along the same lines, he criticized leaders who allocate enormous resources to war, those who exploit religious language to justify conflicts, and “despots” who exploit natural resources. A speech that also comes in the midst of tensions with his compatriot, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, whom he has questioned for his offensive in the Middle East.

Pope Leo XIV's tour—which included four countries—underlined the importance of a continent that concentrates nearly 20% of the world's Catholic faithful. In this edition we analyze the Vatican's interests in Africa and compare the current pontiff's approach with that of his predecessors.

📲Subscribe here to the France 24 channel on WhatsApp and access all the content to understand what is happening in the world.

Related keywords

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.