Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on an 11-day apostolic journey across the African continent starting Monday, April 13, 2026. This marks his first major international tour since becoming the head of the Catholic Church in May 2025.
The 70-year-old U.S.-born Pontiff will travel over 18,000 kilometers, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The tour is expected to focus on themes of interfaith dialogue, peace reconciliation, and the equitable distribution of natural resources.
Key stops and highlights of the tour:
- Algeria (April 13–15): Making history as the first Pope to visit the North African nation, Leo XIV will meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers. He will also pray for martyrs of the country’s civil war.
- Cameroon (April 15–18): In a high-security visit to Bamenda, the Pope will call for peace in the conflict-torn English-speaking regions. He is also scheduled to meet with 93-year-old President Paul Biya.
- Angola (April 18–21): The Pontiff will address the paradox of poverty in resource-rich nations, visiting the capital, Luanda, and the historic holy site of Muxima.
- Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23): The final leg of the trip will be a delicate diplomatic balancing act in a country under long-term authoritarian rule, where the Pope is expected to deliver a message on human rights.
The trip comes at a time of global economic and political uncertainty, with the Vatican emphasizing a message of hope for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, particularly the rapidly growing congregation across Africa.
