Pope Leo XIV starts a four-nation visit to Africa Monday, visiting the fastest-growing continent for the Catholic Church as he embarks on his fourth foreign trip since becoming pontiff in 2025.

While the trip does not include the continent’s most populous nation of Nigeria — where thousands of the faithful have been killed for their religious beliefs — it begins in the Muslim-majority country of Algeria.

The Vatican has called the trip “A pilgrim in Africa.” The main themes Leo is expected to address include peace, migration, the environment, young people and the family, according to the Holy See. He will make 25 speeches in four of Africa’s main languages — French, English, Portuguese and Spanish.

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Analysts and clerics are keen to stress the overall importance of this visit to the continent. “I believe the Holy Father is walking with the African church in the context of the global church,” Rev. Daniel Male, secretary of the Union of Augustinian Friars of Africa, told the Religion News Service. He added, “He is affirming the African churches’ growth and vibrancy and is also making a statement that the church has a preferential option for the poor and those at the margins.”

The Catholic OSV News added the visit “highlights peace efforts, the works of mercy, and the Catholic Church’s vibrant presence on the continent.”

The National Catholic Register stated that in 1910 Africa was home to less than 1 million Catholics. The latest figures available for 2024 estimate there are now 288 million.

Commenting on his absence from Nigeria, Frans Cronje, African-based analyst at the Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, told Fox News Digital, “Given Nigeria’s role as the epicenter of the terror threat faced by Africa’s Christians, it will be disappointing to many of them to learn that the pope has left that country off his Africa agenda. The country has become ground zero for the global Islamist terror threat.”

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The pontiff must be invited to a country by the host government. Analysts say the government of Nigeria may feel a papal visit may be too sensitive at this time. But the Nigerian government did not respond to requests for comment on this issue by Fox News Digital.

Details of the trip include:

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The Vatican’s yearbook for 2025, the Annuario Pontificio, states Catholics number 8,740 out of a population of 46–48 million. The pope is believed to be coming to Algeria to visit the ancient city of Hippo, now called Annaba. The city was home to St. Augustine, the “doctor of the church.” Pope Leo is the first pontiff to belong to the Augustinian Order.

He is also expected to emphasize interfaith dialogue with Islam when he visits the Great Mosque of Algiers. This is one of the biggest in the world, capable of accommodating up to 120,000 people.

The 2026 Open Doors World Watch List placed Algeria in the 20th position for Christian persecution. It said 47 churches of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) have been closed by the authorities.

The Associated Press reported that Algerian authorities rejected a Vatican request for Leo to visit Médéa to pray at the Tibhirine monastery, the place where seven French Trappist monks were kidnapped and killed May 21, 1996, by Islamic extremists during the country’s civil war.

The Catholic EWTN organization reports that Catholics make up between 30% and 35% of the population of some 30 million.

The pope will preside over five public Masses and addresses in three cities. He will also meet with vulnerable children at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in the capital city of Yaoundé.

In the latest government census, some 56% of Angola’s population identified as being Catholic.

The most significant part of the pope’s visit to Angola is expected to be when he goes to the town of Muxima, where he will pray at a shrine to the Virgin Mary, known locally as “Mama Muxima,” or “mother of the heart.” This is said to be the spiritual home for many Angolans, drawing over 2 million pilgrims every year.

The Vatican has stated that approximately 80% of the population of Equatorial Guinea are Catholic. Leo will hold several Masses and addresses, and will visit a new psychiatric hospital and a prison. The Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital in Sampaka, Malabo, was only inaugurated in December and is the country’s first modern specialized mental health facility. It collaborates with France’s Hospital Saint-Anne in Paris.

In a potentially controversial move, the pope will also visit a prison in Bata notorious for reports of inmate torture and abuse.

The Vatican did not respond to Fox News Digital questions by press time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

With Tax Day approaching, restaurant chains are rolling out deals aimed at helping customers save on meals.

As households juggle paperwork, payments and deadlines, these limited-time promotions offer ways to cut costs during a typically busy time of year. From discounted menu items to app-based rewards and delivery perks, the offers provide relatively simple ways for diners to spend less without skipping a meal out.

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Here are five chains offering deals right now.

Subway is offering a buy-one, get-one (BOGO) deal on select footlong sandwiches through its app and online ordering platform through April 28, according to the company’s website. The offer is available to Subway Sub Club rewards members.

Offers may vary by location, but customers who order digitally can take advantage of the promotion to lower the overall cost per sandwich.

Grubhub is offering a range of tax-season promotions, including a chance for diners to receive credits tied to past delivery fees.

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From April 6 through April 15, customers can submit a receipt from a 2025 food delivery order for a chance to receive $20 in Grubhub credit as part of its “Fee Return” campaign, the company said in a press release.

The company is also promoting savings on current orders, including discounts on purchases over a certain amount and the elimination of delivery and service fees on qualifying orders of $50 or more.

Qdoba is offering a Tax Day promotion called “Guac Relief,” aimed at giving customers additional savings beyond its standard pricing.

The chain said in a press release that rewards members can complete a short online survey through April 15 to receive a $5 reward toward a full-sized entrée. The credit will be issued later in the month and can be redeemed for a limited time.

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The promotion builds on Qdoba’s existing model, which already includes guacamole at no extra cost on certain customizable menu items.

Olive Garden is offering its popular “Buy One, Take One” deal, now available at participating locations nationwide.

Starting at $14.99, guests can enjoy one entrée in the restaurant, such as fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti with meat sauce or five-cheese ziti, and take home a second, chilled entrée at no additional cost, the website says.

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The dine-in meal also comes with unlimited soup or salad and the chain’s signature breadsticks.

Kona Ice is helping customers cool off with a free treat as part of its annual “Chill Out Day.”

On April 15, customers can visit participating Kona Ice trucks nationwide to receive a free shaved ice in any flavor.

Offers, pricing and participation may vary by location, so customers are encouraged to check with individual restaurants or apps for details.

A fatty bulge at the base of the neck — commonly known as a “buffalo hump” — isn’t always just a cosmetic concern, as experts say it can sometimes signal an underlying condition.

As more Americans grapple with poor posture, obesity and chronic conditions requiring long-term medications, experts warn that these factors can contribute to the development of “buffalo humps.” 

There are a range of possible causes and treatments for the commonly misunderstood condition, Health.com recently reported.

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“A buffalo hump is a fullness at the base of the neck or upper back area,” Dr. Dahlia Rice, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon and founder of DMR Aesthetics, told Fox News Digital.

Posture can make a hump appear more pronounced, even if someone does not have much excess fat, Rice said. A forward head posture or rounding of the upper spine can contribute to this effect.

“Depending on the pattern and timing, it could also signal an underlying medical issue,” the expert said.

The condition is often linked to weight, according to Dr. Rachel Mason, a Las Vegas-based plastic surgeon and founder of La Femme Plastic Surgery, though that is not always the case.

“In some cases, it can be associated with medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or long-term use of steroids,” she told Fox News Digital.

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Elevated levels of cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — can also lead to fat deposits in the neck and upper back, experts say. Certain medications, including some HIV treatments, may also play a role, according to Health.com.

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Experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between a true buffalo hump and other conditions. The buffalo hump is often confused with a posture-related “dowager’s hump,” which is caused by spinal curvature rather than fat buildup.

“A true buffalo hump will feel soft and fatty,” Mason said. “Structural, posture-related issues require a completely different approach than fat reduction.”

If the lump appears suddenly, continues to grow or is accompanied by other symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended, according to doctors.

“If it’s paired with fatigue, muscle weakness or changes in blood pressure, patients should seek medical evaluation,” Rice advised.

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Mason added that symptoms such as easy bruising, hormonal changes or purple stretch marks could point to an endocrine disorder rather than a cosmetic issue.

Treatment options depend largely on the underlying cause. In cases tied to posture, physical therapy and strengthening exercises may help. When medications are involved, doctors may adjust treatment.

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For patients with localized fat and no underlying condition, cosmetic procedures may be considered.

“Liposuction is often the effective option for contouring this area, as it directly removes excess fat and improves the profile of the upper back and neck,” Mason said, noting that more extensive cases may require surgical removal of dense tissue.

Lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving posture and monitoring long-term medication use — may help to manage or reduce the condition, experts say.

Although a buffalo hump itself is not usually dangerous, untreated underlying conditions can lead to more serious complications, including high blood pressure or sleep issues, according to Health.com.

“Identifying the cause early is important in ensuring the right treatment path is taken,” Mason said.