The Institute for the African Compact on Education joined the Churches of Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in welcoming Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic visit.
The Institute for the African Compact on Education joined the Churches of Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in welcoming Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic visit to these three countries. These Churches play an important role in the African Compact on Education project, and the Holy Father’s various messages during this visit focused on Catholic education in Africa.
To take part in this welcome, the Episcopal Commission for the African Compact on Education delegated several Church leaders. In Cameroon, the Institute was represented by His Eminence Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, Rwanda, and Grand Chancellor of the Institute. In Angola, the delegation included His Excellency Bishop Ernesto Maguengue, Bishop of Inhambane, Mozambique. In Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Bishop Nestor Désiré Nongo Aziagbia, Bishop of Bossangoa, Central African Republic, was also among the delegates.
The visit also highlighted the commitment of local Church leaders to the momentum of the African Compact on Education. In Cameroon, His Excellency Archbishop Andrew Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, represents the Church in Cameroon. In Angola, His Excellency Bishop Joaquim Nhanganga Tyombe, Bishop of Uíge and canonical referent of the Third African Congress on Catholic Education, scheduled to take place in Luanda from 4 to 7 November 2027, is associated with this momentum. In Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Bishop Juan Domingo-Beka Esono Ayang, Bishop of Mongomo and President of the Episcopal Conference of Equatorial Guinea, is among the leaders presented.
Through this participation, the Institute joined its sister Churches in welcoming the Holy Father, as part of its commitment to the African Compact on Education and to Catholic education across the continent.