Pope Leo XIV to Visit Four African Nations, Monaco, and Spain in Historic Tours

Pope Leo XIV will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea in April, focusing on interfaith dialogue and peace. He will also visit Monaco in March and Spain in June, including Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a significant series of international trips, including visits to four African nations in April, beginning with Algeria. This trip is historic, as it will mark the first time a pope has traveled to this North African Muslim-majority country. The Vatican confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, noting that the pontiff, who was elected last year, will also make trips to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea as part of his African itinerary. The visits are expected to focus on fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting peace, and strengthening ties between the Catholic Church and the communities he will visit.
Algeria holds particular significance in the context of the Catholic Church and Pope Leo XIV personally, as it is the birthplace of St Augustine, one of Christianity’s greatest thinkers from the fifth century. The pope himself belongs to the Augustinian order, which traces its roots back to the 13th century. St Augustine, who lived between 354 and 430 AD, hailed from what is now the Souk Ahras region in Algeria and served as the bishop of Hippo, presently the city of Annaba in the northeast. Pope Leo XIV has described the visit as an opportunity to deepen “dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and Muslim worlds,” emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation between different faiths.
Following his visit to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Cameroon, where he will visit Yaounde, Bamenda, and Douala from April 15 to 18. In Cameroon, the pontiff is expected to engage with local communities and address ongoing issues, particularly the long-running separatist conflicts that have led to significant loss of lives and disruption of social cohesion. His visit aims to encourage dialogue and reconciliation among communities affected by these struggles.
The pope will then proceed to Angola, visiting Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo between April 18 and 21. Angola has also faced challenges related to separatist tensions and social unrest, and the pontiff’s presence is anticipated to reinforce messages of peace, compassion, and unity. From Angola, the pontiff will continue to Equatorial Guinea, visiting Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata from April 21 to 23. In each of these African nations, Pope Leo XIV is expected to highlight the values of dialogue, cooperation, and interfaith understanding, offering both spiritual guidance and moral support to local communities.
Before embarking on his African tour, the pope will make a brief visit to Monaco on March 28. This will be the first papal trip to the city-state in modern times, offering an opportunity to engage with the local Catholic community and strengthen relations with the principality. Following the African visits, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Spain from June 6 to 12. In Spain, he will first visit the capital, Madrid, before traveling to Barcelona. In Barcelona, he will inaugurate the newest and tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, a landmark designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The visit coincides with the centenary of Gaudi’s death and celebrates his recognition as “venerable” by the Catholic Church in 2025, a milestone on the path toward sainthood.
The pope’s itinerary in Spain will conclude with a visit to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of West Africa. The Canary Islands are strategically significant as a key point on migration routes to Europe, and the pontiff’s presence is likely to draw attention to humanitarian concerns, migration challenges, and the need for compassion and support for vulnerable populations. Overall, Pope Leo XIV’s extensive travel schedule reflects his commitment to fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and engaging with diverse communities across multiple continents, reinforcing the Catholic Church’s role in addressing both spiritual and social issues in the modern world.