VATICAN CITY — The Holy See has released the official itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s highly anticipated first apostolic journey to Africa, scheduled to take place from April 13–23, 2026.
The 11-day pilgrimage will see the Holy Father visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, marking his first return to the continent since his election in May 2025. According to the Vatican, the journey is designed to champion peace, empower the youth, and reinforce the Church’s social mission through a series of pastoral encounters and interreligious dialogues.
A Journey of Faith and Diplomacy
The voyage begins in Algeria (April 13–14), where the Pope will emphasise reconciliation and history.
Highlights include:
• A visit to the Maqam Echahid Martyrs’ Monument.
• High-level meetings with political authorities and diplomats in Algiers.
• A historic stop at the Great Mosque of Algiers, signaling a continued commitment to Catholic-Muslim relations.
• A pilgrimage to Hippo Regius in Annaba to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine.
Moving to Cameroon (April 15–18), the Pope will navigate a diverse landscape of pastoral needs across Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. Notably, he is scheduled to lead a “Meeting for Peace” in Bamenda—a region that has faced significant internal strife—before celebrating a massive Eucharistic liturgy at Japoma Stadium in Douala.
Solidarity with the Vulnerable
In Angola (April 18–20), the itinerary focuses on the elderly and the marginalized. Following a major Mass in Luanda, Pope Leo XIV will:
• Travel to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima for a dedicated Rosary for peace.
• Visit a nursing home in Saurimo to spend time with the elderly and sick.
The final leg of the journey takes place in Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23). This stage is marked by deep emotional resonance, as the Pope is set to pray at a memorial for the victims of the March 7, 2021, Bata explosion. His time in Malabo and Bata will also include visits to prisoners and families, emphasizing the “peripheries” of society.
The African Vision
The journey will conclude with a final Mass in Malabo on April 23, after which the Holy Father will depart for Rome.
Vatican observers note that this trip is a decisive step for Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, as he seeks to translate diplomatic relations into “measurable prosperity and spiritual renewal” for the continent’s rapidly growing Catholic population.
