AFP Africa

Hundreds of thousands of young faithful feted Pope Leo XIV like a rock star Saturday at an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome, after the head of the Catholic Church made a dramatic entrance by helicopter.Pilgrims began crying and cheering when the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling, open-air site in Rome’s eastern outskirts;Organisers said …

Young Catholics give rock star welcome to Pope Leo at vigilSat, 02 Aug 2025 20:27:56 GMT Read More »

Hundreds of thousands of young faithful cheered Pope Leo XIV Saturday as he arrived by helicopter for an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome, in a rock star welcome for the new head of the Catholic Church.Pilgrims began crying and cheering when the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling, dusty, open-air site in Rome’s eastern …

Elation as pope arrives by helicopter to open-air youth vigil in RomeSat, 02 Aug 2025 18:05:04 GMT Read More »

Swarms of enthusiastic young Catholics gathered under the hot sun in Rome on Saturday in a festive, open-air celebration to be capped by an evening prayer vigil led by Pope Leo XIV.The Vatican said it was expecting up to one million young people for the vigil, which, together with a Sunday mass, marks the culmination …

At open-air Church party, many thousands of young Catholics eagerly await popeSat, 02 Aug 2025 14:59:13 GMT Read More »

Thousands of young Catholics began assembling Saturday for an evening prayer vigil  led by Pope Leo XIV, the culmination of a week-long pilgrimage and a key event in the Jubilee holy year that is expected to draw up to a million people.The “Jubilee of Youth” — when the Vatican invites Catholics aged 18 to 35 …

Thousands of young Catholics converge for grand Pope Leo vigilSat, 02 Aug 2025 09:47:02 GMT Read More »

Up to a million young Catholic believers are expected Saturday for a night-time vigil led by Pope Leo XIV, the culmination of a week-long pilgrimage, a key event in the Jubilee holy year.The “Jubilee of Youth” — when the Vatican invites Catholics aged 18 to 35 to the seat of the global Church’s power — …

Up to a million young Catholics expected for grand Pope Leo vigilSat, 02 Aug 2025 05:21:26 GMT Read More »

Angolan President Joao Lourenco praised security forces Friday for quelling unrest that claimed 30 lives over two days but rights groups accused them of killing “defenceless people”.Dozens of shops and warehouses in Luanda were looted and vehicles attacked on Monday and Tuesday when a strike against a fuel price hike descended into some of the …

Angola unrest death toll rises to 30Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:13:48 GMT Read More »

Senegal’s prime minister unveiled an economic recovery plan for the highly indebted nation on Friday, focused on reviving its economy with a shift towards greater domestic funding.The west African country faces a deteriorating economy, marked by a 14-percent budget deficit and outstanding public debt that represents 119 percent of GDP, said Senegal Economy Minister Abdourahmane …

Senegal PM unveils economic recovery plan based on domestic resourcesFri, 01 Aug 2025 14:49:45 GMT Read More »

South Africa will use the week-long delay in the US’s imposition of 30-percent tariffs to negotiate hard to avoid the penalty and save jobs, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday.South Africa is among nearly 70 countries facing President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on exports that were due to come into force on Friday but were delayed …

S.Africa negotiating hard with US over tariffs: presidentFri, 01 Aug 2025 08:41:33 GMT Read More »

As winter clouds gathered above South Africa’s prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30 percent due to come into force next week.Much of South Africa’s sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town.The prized wine — produced …

S.African farmers on the frontline of US tariff hikesFri, 01 Aug 2025 07:31:26 GMT Read More »

An investigative journalist, a former city official, a sociology student and a pastor have all joined the race to become Ivory Coast’s next president.As first-time candidates, they attract curiosity while out and about campaigning against President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term, as well as veteran opposition figures.With only three months to go …

Political newcomers in the race to rule Ivory CoastFri, 01 Aug 2025 05:28:07 GMT Read More »