Pope Leo launches ambitious Africa Tour to spotlight continent’s needs
Pontiff’s 10-day visit aims to rally global support and highlight Africa’s growing role in the Catholic Church

Pope Leo is set to embark on a major ten-day tour across Africa, marking his first significant overseas trip of 2026. Beginning April 13, the visit will take him through Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea as part of a mission to draw global attention to the continent’s challenges and opportunities.
The journey will span nearly 18,000 kilometres, with stops in 11 cities and a packed schedule of speeches and meetings focused on peace, reconciliation, and religious dialogue. Vatican officials say the trip reflects the pope’s priority to ensure Africa is not overlooked on the global stage.
Africa is home to more than 20% of the world’s Catholics, making it one of the fastest-growing regions for the Church.