CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Pope Francis aims to heal the Christian-Muslim divide and stem violence in Central African Republic. But there’s speculation over what the pontiff can achieve within his short visit to the war-torn country.

Following his first trip to Asia last year, Pope Francis expressed his desire to visit Africa for the first time as sectarian violence escalated between Christians and Muslims in war-torn Central African Republic.

The pontiff will begin his first visit to Africa this week, stopping in Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. But hosting the Holy See won't be cheap.

Despite security concerns, Pope Francis will not wear a bulletproof vest nor travel in an armored popemobile during his six-day, three-nation tour of Africa.

Here is the full schedule for Pope Francis' visit to Africa, including his masses, meetings, speeches, events and everywhere the pontiff will go in Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic.

Ships from Britain and Belgium, along with German and Irish troops, will be aiding France in its new operation against the Islamic State group.

The 28-nation bloc’s mutual defense clause has never before been used and in this case, calls on member states to provide "aid and assistance" in the country's fight against the Islamic State group.

It can take years for a Syrian refugee to gain entry to the United States, but not so for European countries.

The U.K. Foreign Office has recommended Brits not travel to these 18 countries.

Pope Francis is expected to visit a mosque in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in its capital, where religious violence between Christians and Muslims persists.

On Wednesday, an Italian newspaper reported that Pope Francis was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which could be cured without a surgery.

Pope Francis plans to meet with Catholic leaders and HIV-positive people in Uganda.

Afghanistan was named as the worst performing country for primary enrollment, but the six next most unequal are all in Africa.

President Barack Obama has to decide soon whether to continue the hunt for warlord Joseph Kony.

An outbreak of violence killing at least 21 people in the country's capital of Bangui was reportedly spurred by the assassination of a young Muslim man.

Since the CAR mission was established in 2014, 13 sexual abuse allegations have been brought against its peacekeepers.

Countries in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia still lack adequate programs to ensure proper vaccination coverage.

A 38-year-old special forces soldier was charged with sexually abusing two girls, ages 3 and 5, at a swimming pool in the West African country.

The damning report was made worse by the fact that the U.N. provided assistance to only 12 percent of the victims of sexual offenses.

More than 50 million people throughout the world are currently considered refugees and internally displaced persons.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said it's time to put an end to the Boko Haram crisis once and for all.