Benedict visits Africa for first time as Pope

YAOUNDE, March 17 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict will make his maiden trip as pontiff to Africa on Tuesday, seeking support for the continent during an economic crisis and under pressure to encourage peace, reconciliation and help reduce corruption.

The pope starts his two-nation tour in Cameroon, where he will visit charities, meet Muslim leaders and attend a gathering of bishops trying to chart the Church's role in bettering Africans' lives. Later in the week he will move on to Angola.

While followers are dwindling in the developed world, Africa, where some progress has been made towards democratisation but conflicts and political crises continue to simmer, is seen as central to the future of a growing Church. [READ MORE>>>]