Pope Leo XIV Announces Historic Algeria Visit and Tour of Africa, Monaco and Spain

Pope Leo XIV will undertake a series of international trips in 2026, including a historic visit to Algeria — the first time a pope will travel to that North African, Muslim-majority nation. The Vatican said the U.S. pontiff, elected last year, will also visit Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Monaco and Spain in the months ahead.

Symbolic Algeria Visit

The official trip to Algeria is scheduled for April 13–15 and will take the pope to Algiers and Annaba. The visit is expected to emphasize interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. Although Islam is Algeria’s state religion, the constitution provides for freedom of worship; places of worship and preachers are subject to government approval.

The visit carries poignant historical resonance: it comes about 30 years after the 1990s civil war when seven French Trappist monks were killed at a monastery. Algeria is also the birthplace of the fifth-century theologian St Augustine (354–430), who served as bishop of Hippo — today’s Annaba. Pope Leo is a member of the Augustinian order.

Africa Itinerary

Following Algeria, Pope Leo will visit three additional African countries:

• Cameroon (April 15–18): Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala.
• Angola (April 18–21): Luanda, Muxima and Saurimo.
• Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23): Malabo, Mongomo and Bata.

During visits to Cameroon and Angola the pope is likely to appeal for peace and renewed dialogue in regions affected by long-running separatist conflicts that have harmed civilians.

Monaco And Spain

Before traveling to Africa, the pope will make a one-day visit to Monaco on March 28 — the first modern papal visit to the principality. Monaco’s palace described the visit as "a historic moment" and a sign of hope and dialogue.

Pope Leo will visit Spain from June 6–12. He will begin in Madrid, travel to Barcelona to inaugurate the newest and tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica, and then visit the Canary Islands — including Tenerife and Gran Canaria — a key point on migration routes to Europe. The Barcelona visit also commemorates 100 years since the death of architect Antoni Gaudí, who was declared "venerable" by the Catholic Church in 2025.

Context And Note

The American pope became head of the Catholic Church in May and has been a vocal advocate for migrants, continuing a priority also emphasized by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The Vatican’s travel announcements come as Leo plans several domestic visits within Italy as well, including to the island of Lampedusa.

Key details: Algeria (Algiers, Annaba) April 13–15; Cameroon April 15–18; Angola April 18–21; Equatorial Guinea April 21–23; Monaco March 28; Spain June 6–12 (Madrid, Barcelona, Canary Islands).