The Pope visited Uganda in 1969 for the same reason any pope visits any country. The earthly shepherd of the Church needs to know his flock and the flock needs to know the shepherd. Here is Pope Paul VI's address during the welcoming ceremony on 31 July 1969: This blessed moment, for the first time in history, the Successor of Peter as Vicar of Christ sets foot upon the soil of Africa. We give thanks to God for this great favour, and for this new meeting with the beloved African people, whom We came to know, admire, and love, during Our visit to this vast Continent while Archbishop of Milan, and also by the visits paid Us in Rome by African Heads of State, Ambassadors, Bishops, Priests, and distinguished lay men and women. Thanks be to God also for the marvels of His grace, poured out abundantly upon this land, and for the generous response of Africa to the Gospel message. To these, We bear witness by Our pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Martyrs of Uganda, whose blood bathed the Cross of Christ planted by the first Missionaries, and brought honour, renown, and the merit of love's highest testimony to all of Africa. Our prayers today rise to God that Africa may flower forth with all the riches of its culture and noble traditions, advancing with ever longer strides upon the road of progress, "attracted to adopt new ways of life, introduced by science and technology" (Africae Terrarum, No. 13). The Church, you may be sure, will not remain a passive spectator. Already Church leaders have exhorted clergy, missionaries, and all Christians, to collaborate actively in each Nation's efforts towards economic and social development. For Development is the new name of Peace, «To wage war on misery and to struggle against injustice is to promote, along with improved conditions, the human and spiritual progress of all men, and therefore the common good of humanity» (Populorum progressio, No. 76). To all, Christians and non-Christians alike, may Our coming to this Continent bear humble witness to Our sincere affection for Africa. May Our presence here, through the intercession of the holy Martyrs of Uganda, stir up that immense movement of brotherly love, which can transform the peace and progress of peoples from a difficult ideal into a glorious reality. God save Uganda! God bless Africa!
In modern times, Pope Paul VI visited Uganda in 1969. St. Victor I, who reigned from 189-199 AD, was himself an African.
Pope Paul VI was the first pope to ever visit Australia. He visited Sydney in 1970.
Pope Paul VI
Pope John Paul II
On March 9, 1983 Pope John Paul II made a short visit to Belize.
The first reigning pope to visit the U.S. was Pope Paul VI in 1965. Pope Pius XII did visit before he was elected as pope, however.
1994
The first Pope to visit Australia was Pope Paul VI in 1970
No. Only one Pope has ever made an official visit to Ireland. That was Pope John Paul II in September 1979.
1987
Pope Paul VI in 1965.
Pope John Paul II arrived in New Delhi, India, Feb 1 for a 10-day, 14-city visit. He was the last pope to visit that country. However, there is talk that Pope Francis may visit India in 2014.