Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI, during his planned first trip to Africa as pontiff in March, is set to meet Muslim leaders in Cameroon and hold talks in Angola with bishops from the continent's southern region, the Vatican said Monday.

The German-born Benedict is scheduled to arrive in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, a former German colony, on March 17.

In a nation of some 17 million people, Catholics, at just over a third of the population, make up the largest religious group. The highlight of Benedict's visit is likely to be his open-air mass at Yaounde's Amdadou Ahidjo Stadium on March 19.

Benedict is also set pay President Paul Biya a courtesy visit and meet leaders of Cameroon's Islamic community, which represents some 20 per cent of the population.

Next, he will head south to Angola's capital, Luanda, on March 20, according to the Vatican.

In Angola, a former Portuguese colony of some 12 million where Catholics make up the single largest denomination, Benedict is slated to meet the faithful at a gathering at Luanda's Dos Coqueiros stadium on March 21.

The pontiff also plans a meeting with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos before returning to Rome on March 23. (dpa)