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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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Greetings, World of Faith readers,
This week, we detail the ambitious travel plans being drawn up for Pope Leo XIV, including a 10-day trip to Africa. There’s an in-depth look at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and how he is embracing his Jewish faith at a time of deep worries about antisemitism. And we share news from Uganda about the role that prayer played in advocating for a jailed opposition leader. |
Pope Leo XIV appears at a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the traditional Sunday blessing at the end of the noon Angelus prayer. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca) |
Pope Leo will visit four African countries as part of his packed 2026 travel plans |
The Vatican has announced a busy and lengthy schedule of foreign travel for Pope Leo XIV in the first half of 2026, confirming the pontiff will visit Monaco, Spain and four African nations — Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The announcement sets the stage for one of the busiest papal travel schedules in years. Read more.
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After Leo’s election last May as the first U.S.-born pope, papal travel was largely on hold. Leo had a packed calendar ministering to the 33 million pilgrims who came to the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year.
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But with the Jubilee now over, Leo is free to travel to meet his new flock. Starting in May, he’ll be undertaking a grand tour of Italy that will take him up and down the peninsula in a half-dozen one-day visits.
- The Africa trip is the longest on Leo’s current schedule – a 10-day journey starting on April 13. Later, he will spend nearly a week in Spain, from June 6-12.
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As antisemitism rises, Josh Shapiro turns toward his Jewish faith |
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, may be the nation’s most prominent Jewish politician as antisemitism surges across America, and he’s made his religion central to his political identity. At this pivotal moment, as he heads toward a dominant reelection in Pennsylvania that might propel him into the next presidential campaign, the 52-year-old governor is attempting to straddle an almost impossible chasm as both a Jewish progressive and a Zionist. Read more.
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Perhaps more than any other issue, Shapiro’s ability to navigate personal and political risks related to his faith will ultimately determine how far he can rise in an evolving Democratic Party.
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There’s never been a Jewish president or vice president, and few leading Democrats lean into their faith as openly as Shapiro. He observes Shabbat every Friday night with his family. His children go to Jewish day school. On the campaign trail, he speaks openly about his spiritual values.
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The governor says he and his family face new incidents of antisemitism on a regular basis, citing most recently the arrest of a man near Harrisburg charged with making terroristic threats and stalking.
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Defiant supporters of jailed Ugandan opposition figure pray for him in cathedral |
Supporters of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye have held a prayer service in a Catholic cathedral to press for his release. Church leaders had asked to postpone the event after concerns about political repercussions, but attendees stayed inside Lubaga Cathedral anyway to sing hymns and pray. Read more.
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Besigye, once Uganda’s most prominent opposition figure and four-time presidential candidate, is accused of plotting to forcibly remove long-time President Yoweri Museveni.
- Besigye, 69, has been held for a year without trial on treason charges; His supporters say he is in failing health.
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He once was a trusted ally of Museveni in the guerrilla war that propelled the president to power in 1986, and served as Museveni’s personal doctor and military assistant.
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