VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV will visit four countries across Africa from April 13–23, the Vatican announced on Wednesday, with the pontiff making his first major overseas trip in 2026 to the continent where the Catholic Church is growing fastest.
The Pope will also make a one-day visit to Monaco, the microstate on the French Riviera, on March 28, and will visit Spain from 6- 12 June, the Vatican said.
In Africa, Leo will visit Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. He is expected to draw large crowds, urge world leaders to support development on the continent, and highlight efforts at Catholic-Muslim dialogue.
Leo, elected in May to succeed the late Pope Francis as head of the 1.4-billion-member Church, has made only one overseas trip so far, visiting Turkey and Lebanon in November and December on a visit originally organized for Francis. Vatican officials and African Church leaders say the upcoming papal tour is a sign of the priority the Church places on the continent.
“Pope Leo’s visit will remind the world that Africa matters and that the vibrancy of the Church in Africa remains at the heart of a thriving global Church,” said Reverend Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, a Jesuit from Nigeria who led his order’s communities across Africa from 2017–2023.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope’s apostolic journey will take place from 13 to 23 April 2026.
During the 10-day tour, he will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. This will be Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to Africa since he became Pontiff on 8 May 2025.
In Algeria, the Pope will visit Algiers and Annaba, following in the footsteps of Saint Augustine. He will then travel to Cameroon, where he is scheduled to visit Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala.
While in Cameroon, the Pope will also go to the English-speaking region in the north, where a civil conflict between government forces and separatists has been ongoing for nearly a decade.
From Cameroon, he will proceed to Angola, with planned visits to Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo.
The final stop of his African tour will be Equatorial Guinea, where he will visit Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata.
The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will visit two European countries, Spain and Monaco, this year.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening the Catholic faith, promoting peace, and encouraging dialogue in the regions he will visit.
