"The concentration of growth in Catholicism has shifted towards Africa and the Americas, with more than half of the increase in 2022-23 occurring in Africa, indicating a demographic shift that began in 1970."
"Father Ambroise Tine emphasized that Africa and its Black diaspora represent not only a growing number of Catholics but also the intellectual and spiritual engine of global faith, capable of influencing evangelization worldwide."
"Pope Leo XIV's visit acknowledges the untapped potential of Africa, recognizing the continent's centrality in pastoral practice and the irony of Western Christianity's reliance on Black diaspora worshippers amidst far-right narratives."
Pope Leo XIV's first visit to Africa marks a significant moment in his papacy, reflecting the continent's increasing role in global Catholicism. The number of Catholics is rising, particularly in Africa, which accounted for over half of the global increase in 2022-23. This trend highlights Africa as the demographic future of the faith and a potential intellectual and spiritual leader in evangelization. The visit also addresses the irony of Western Christianity's ties to race and immigration, contrasting with the vibrant faith of the Black diaspora.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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