Pope Leo XIV Confirms Major Apostolic Journeys for 2026
The Holy See Press Office has confirmed a robust travel schedule for Pope Leo XIV during the first half of 2026. Following his 2025 visits to Türkiye and Lebanon, the Pontiff is set to embark on three distinct journeys across Africa and Europe, focusing on peace, migration, and historical heritage.
🇲🇨 Monaco: A Historic One-Day Visit (March 28)
Kicking off his 2026 travels just before Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV will make a "lightning" trip to the Principality of Monaco.
Significance: This marks the first time a Pope has visited the Principality in the modern era.
Purpose: Responding to long-standing invitations, the visit highlights a nation where Catholicism remains the state religion and underscores Monaco's international commitment to peace.
🌍 Africa: A Ten-Day Pilgrimage of Peace (April 13–23)
The most extensive of the three trips, this journey mirrors the ambitious pace of Pope Saint John Paul II’s 1985 mission.
Algeria: The Pope will visit Algiers and Annaba, honoring the legacy of Saint Augustine.
Cameroon: A visit focused on reconciliation, specifically traveling to the Anglophone region (Bamenda) to address the decade-long civil conflict.
Angola & Equatorial Guinea: The tour concludes in Luanda and Malabo, focusing on developing nations and the Church’s mission to the poor.
🇪🇸 Spain & The Canary Islands: Faith and Migration (June 6–12)
The June journey blends architectural celebration with the harsh realities of the modern migrant crisis.
Madrid & Barcelona: In Barcelona, the Pope will inaugurate the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia. The visit coincides with the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.
The Canary Islands: Fulfilling a wish held by the late Pope Francis, Leo XIV will visit Tenerife and Gran Canaria. This leg of the trip is deeply symbolic, as the islands serve as a primary—and often perilous—migratory route from Africa to Europe.
Summary of the Itinerary
| Date | Destination | Key Theme |
| March 28 | Monaco | Diplomatic relations and peace |
| April 13–23 | Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea | Saint Augustine's legacy and conflict resolution |
| June 6–12 | Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Canary Islands) | Gaudí centenary and the migration crisis |
Comments