Photos: Pope Francis boarding a plane in Rome heading to Kenya

Rome: Pope Francis steps onto African soil for the first time on Wednesday to address the continent's fast-growing Catholic congregation. The Nov. 25-30 tour starts in Kenya and Uganda, He is due to arrive in Nairobi at about 5 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Pope Francis boards a plane to Africa on November 25, 2015 at Fiumicino Rome's international airport. Pope Francis kicks off a three-nation Africa tour, arriving in the Kenyan capital on Wednesday for a five-day visit that will also include Uganda and the Central African Republic. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO