Pope Benedict may travel to Africa next year for the first time as pontiff, a senior Vatican official said in comments published on Sunday.
Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said the decision on which countries the German-born Pope might visit would depend partly on geopolitical and security concerns.
"The pope's travel agenda for 2009 has not yet been set. But it's true that this hypothesis is being worked on," Bertone told Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian Bishops Conference.
"The Church in Africa deserves a trip by the Pope, who has already visited or is preparing to visit the other continents."
Pope Benedict's predecessor, John Paul II, travelled widely throughout Africa during his more than 26-year pontificate, including to Tunisia, Morocco, Tanzania, Senegal and Uganda.
Pope Benedict will start the longest visit of his pontificate on July 12 when he leaves for a 10-day trip to Australia. It will be his 9th trip outside Italy since his election in April 2005.
News
New ‘Tyndale Trail’ launched to mark 500 years of English New Testament
A new long-distance walking route tracing the life of Bible translator William Tyndale has been launched in south-west England, as part of commemorations marking 500 years since his groundbreaking English New Testament.
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
It follows an earlier open letter addressed to King Charles, calling upon him to defend Christianity in line with his titles of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and "Defender of the Faith".
Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice
Churches can breach the code even when acting in good faith.