Pope Leo XIV is set to undertake three major Apostolic Journeys in the first half of 2026, visiting Africa, Spain and the Principality of Monaco, the Holy See Press Office has announced.
The travels will begin with a one-day visit to the Monaco on 28 March, followed by a 10-day pastoral journey to Africa from 13 to 23 April. In June, the Pope will travel to Spain, including stops in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
The announcement comes less than two years after Pope Francis visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, underscoring the Vatican’s continued focus on Africa.
Africa: A Journey of Memory and Peace
The African leg — the longest of the three — will take the Pope to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
In Algeria, he will visit Algiers and Annaba, walking in the footsteps of Saint Augustine of Hippo. The journey will then continue to Cameroon, with stops in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala, including the conflict-affected Anglophone region in the north-west. The Pope is expected to emphasise peace and reconciliation in a region that has endured years of civil unrest.
In Angola, the Holy Father will visit Luanda, Muxima and Saurimo, before concluding the African tour in Equatorial Guinea — the continent’s only Spanish-speaking nation — with visits to Malabo, Mongomo and Bata.
The trip is expected to highlight solidarity with developing nations, support for the poor and vulnerable, and the Church’s commitment to peacebuilding.
Monaco: A Historic First
Before Africa, Pope Leo XIV will make a brief but symbolic visit to Monaco on 28 March, marking the first papal visit to the principality in the modern era. Catholicism is the state religion of Monaco, and the visit reflects ongoing dialogue between Church and civil authorities, as well as the principality’s stated commitment to peace.
Spain: Faith, Heritage and Migration
From 6 to 12 June, the Pope will travel to Spain. In Madrid and Barcelona, he is scheduled to inaugurate the newest and tallest tower of the iconic Sagrada Familia.
The visit coincides with the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudi, the visionary architect behind the basilica, who was declared Venerable Servant of God last year.
The Holy Father will then proceed to the Canary Islands — Tenerife and Gran Canaria — a key migratory gateway from Africa to Europe. The visit is expected to draw attention to migration, humanitarian concerns and the pastoral needs of migrant communities.
Diverse and Meaningful Destinations
Through these journeys, Pope Leo XIV will encounter a wide range of realities: from Muslim-majority Algeria, where Christians form a small minority, to Christian-majority nations in sub-Saharan Africa; from the second-smallest country in the world after Vatican City to Spain, a nation shaped by Christian heritage yet increasingly secularised.
The Apostolic Journeys reflect a pontificate focused on dialogue, peace, solidarity and engagement with the social challenges shaping both Africa and Europe.
