The leader of the Catholic Church has urged Mozambique's political leaders to uphold peace and tone down divisive rhetoric. The country is hoping to avert political violence in the run-up to elections slated for October.

Pope Francis is set to visit the cyclone-vulnerable nations of Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius this week. Climate change, corruption and poverty will be on the agenda in talks with leaders.

Pope Francis will make his fourth trip to Africa when he visits Mozambique, Mauritius and Madagascar from 4-10 of September 2019. Pope Francis will travel to Mozambique's capital, Maputo on the 4th then on to Antananarivo, Madagascar on Saturday 7th and Port Louis, Mauritius on Monday 9th of September according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis arrived in a vibrant welcome into Mozambique on Wednesday to encourage the country's fragile peace, starting a three-nation African tour where climate change, poverty, and corruption will also be high on the agenda.

Pope Francis has met leaders in North Macedonia, the birthplace of Mother Theresa. He is expected to preach a message of unity in a country struggling with deepening political division.

Although Pope Francis wants the Balkan nation to open its hearts and homes to migrants, there is considerable opposition to refugees in Bulgaria. Ties with the Catholic Church are also not warm.

The teenage climate activist and the leader of the world's Catholics agree that the world needs to fight climate change. Pope Francis gave his blessing for Thunberg's fight for the climate.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis has issued wide-ranging new sex abuse legislation that covers all Vatican personnel as well as those who work for the Vatican diplomatic corps. It aims to be a model for the church globally.

Pope Francis' Morocco trip is aimed at promoting moderate Islam and showing solidarity with migrants fleeing to Europe. In February, Francis visited the UAE, where he emphasized the need for inter-faith dialogue.

Pope Francis refuses to accept Cardinal Barbarin's resignation.

Pope Francis has held Mass with tens of thousands of Catholics at a stadium in Abu Dhabi. He is the first leader of the Catholic Church ever to set foot on the Arabian peninsula, the birthplace of Islam.

Pope Francis said Latin America had to address the "plague" of femicide, as well as drug and gang violence. He also slammed anti-migration rhetoric built on "fears and suspicions."