The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Leo will visit four African countries from April 13 to April 23, marking his first major overseas trip of 2026.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the pope will travel to Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon.
The tour will include stops in Algiers, Annaba, Yaoundé, Bamenda, Douala, Luanda, Muxima, Saurimo, Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata.
The Vatican said the trip will focus on peace, development, and Catholic-Muslim dialogue. In Cameroon, Leo will visit the Anglophone region, where civil conflict has persisted for a decade.
“This will be a complex trip, a journey in memory of Saint Augustine and with attention to the poor and those who care for them,” the statement noted.
Leo, elected in May 2025 to succeed Pope Francis, has made one overseas trip so far, visiting Turkey and Lebanon late last year.
Church leaders say the African tour reflects the Vatican’s focus on the continent, home to about 20% of the world’s Catholics.
Before the April trip, the pope will visit Monaco on March 28 and Spain from June 6 to June 12, including the Canary Islands, a key entry point for migrants to Europe.
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Is Nigeria not part of Africa that is not recognized as part of Africa again, wont good things come to Nigeria? The Holy pope should also remember Nigeria.