Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI will visit Cameroon and Angola next March on what will be his first visit to Africa since becoming pope, it was announced Sunday.

In Cameroon he is to prepare for a synod for African bishops which is due to take place in Rome next october, while in Angola he will celebrate the 500th anniversary of missionary work there.

No exact dates were announced for the trip. Since becoming pope in 2005, Benedict's trips abroad have included visits to Brazil, the United States, Australia, Spain and France. dpa