|PIC1|Pope Benedict XVI is to make his first visit to Africa as head of the Roman Catholic Church this week.

The Pope will be visiting Cameroon and Angola from 17 to 23 March and is expected to celebrate the growth of the Catholic Church in Africa and the continent’s contribution to the Church.

In the 20th Century the Catholic population in sub-Saharan Africa increased from just two million to 140 million. In addition, the Vatican released a book of statistics last months which revealed that the number of ordinations of priests in Africa increased by 27.6 per cent, more than in any other continent.

The Pope has praised the Catholic Church in Africa and said that Europe could draw lessons from them.

He said of Africa last month, "To see that there isn't only a tired church, as we often find in Europe, but also a youthful church, full of joy of the Holy Spirit, is certainly a spiritual refreshment."

The Pope is also expected to discuss the problem of conflict in Africa, including the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo which is believed to have claimed the lives of 5.4 million people.

He will begin his visit in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, and will meet African bishops and preview an upcoming Vatican synod with the theme of “reconciliation, justice and peace”.