Pope Leo XIV is set to visit four African countries from April 13-23, 2026, in a bid to bring global attention to the continent’s needs.
The Pope’s ambitious tour will cover 11 cities and towns in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, with 18 flights and 25 speeches planned.
This tour marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church, as more than 20% of the world’s Catholics live in Africa, and the continent is experiencing rapid growth in Catholicism.
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, aims to promote Catholic-Muslim dialogue, particularly in Algeria, where he’ll visit the Great Mosque of Algiers.
The Pope’s itinerary includes a “meeting for peace” in Bamenda, Cameroon, amidst ongoing conflict between the government and separatist movements.
He’ll also pray at the site of a 2021 explosion in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, that killed over 100 people.
Cardinal Michael Czerny emphasizes the significance of this tour, stating, “By heading to Africa so early in his pontificate, the Pope shows that Africa matters”.
