The Vatican has officially released the itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic journey to Africa, a four-nation tour from April 13 to 23, 2026, focused on interreligious dialogue and conflict resolution. The 11-day mission marks the Chicago-born pontiff’s first major overseas engagement since his election in May 2025.
The tour begins in Algeria, where Leo XIV will become the first pope in history to visit the North African nation. According to the Holy See Press Office, a central pillar of this leg is a visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers to promote "religious coexistence and institutional cooperation." The Pope is also scheduled to visit the historic ruins of Hippo Regius, honouring the legacy of Saint Augustine of Hippo, a pivotal figure in both Catholic and African history.
The journey continues to Cameroon, where the pontiff will address the nation's decade-long separatist crisis. The itinerary includes a high-profile stop in Bamenda, the epicenter of the conflict, where Leo XIV is expected to issue a direct call for reconciliation. Vatican officials stated that the journey aims to "reinforce the message that Africa occupies a central place in the Church's global outlook."
In Angola, the Pope will lead a rosary at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Muxima, a site of deep Marian devotion, before concluding the trip in Equatorial Guinea. There, he will visit Bata Prison and lead a prayer service at the site of the 2021 ammunition explosions that killed over 100 people. Reverend Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, a senior Jesuit leader in Africa, told Reuters that the visit "will remind the world that Africa matters and the vibrancy of the Church there remains at the heart of a thriving global Church."
This African odyssey is part of a busy 2026 for the Pope, who is also scheduled to visit Monaco in late March and Spain in June.