The Holy See published the schedule of Pope Leo XIV's foreign trips for the first half of 2026 on Wednesday. Following the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee Year, the head of the Catholic Church plans intensive diplomatic activity. The highlight of the program will be a ten-day tour of Africa, including a historic visit to Algeria. Additionally, the Pope will make a one-day visit to the Principality of Monaco and travel to Spain.

Historic Visit to Africa

In April, the Pope will visit four African countries, including Algeria, marking the first visit by a successor of Saint Peter to this Muslim-majority nation.

Visit to the Principality of Monaco

A one-day trip to Monaco will take place at the end of March, the first such event in the modern history of the papacy.

Ceremonies in Barcelona

In June, the Pope will inaugurate the new tower of the Sagrada Família during his visit to Spain, which will also include the Canary Islands.

The Vatican has officially confirmed the diplomatic calendar of Pope Leo XIV for the coming months, signaling a new chapter in his pontificate after the celebrations of the 2025 Jubilee. The most important of the announced initiatives is a ten-day apostolic journey to Africa, scheduled for April 13–23. The Pope will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Particular interest surrounds the visit to Algeria—this will be the first time in history that the head of the Catholic Church travels to this predominantly Muslim country. This choice is seen as a gesture of interreligious dialogue and a tribute to St. Augustine of Hippo, who was born in the territory of present-day Algeria and is the patron saint of the Augustinian order, from which the current Pope originates. Before the expedition to the African continent, Leo XIV will make a brief, one-day visit to the Principality of Monaco on March 28. This event is groundbreaking, as it will be the first papal visit to this city-state in modern times. The invitation to the Pope was jointly issued by Prince Albert II and the local archbishop. In June, the Holy Father will travel to Spain, where from June 6–12 he will visit Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. In the capital of Catalonia, the Pope will participate in the ceremonial opening of the tallest tower of the Sagrada Família basilica, coinciding with the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. Since the time of Paul VI's travels in the 1960s, apostolic pilgrimages have become a key tool of papal diplomacy, allowing for direct contact with the faithful beyond the borders of the Vatican and Italy.Leo XIV, the first Pope in history from the United States, despite being 70 years old, demonstrates great energy in foreign relations. Before assuming the highest office in the Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost, he spent two decades on missions in Peru, which shaped his global perspective and understanding of the challenges facing developing countries. Experts emphasize that such an intensive travel plan, covering six countries in three months, indicates a desire to give the pontificate a more dynamic and missionary character. „Accogliendo l'invito del Capo di Stato e dell'Arcivescovo del Principato di Monaco, Papa Leone XIV compierà un viaggio apostolico nella Città-Stato il 28 marzo prossimo.” (Accepting the invitation of the Head of State and the Archbishop of the Principality of Monaco, Pope Leo XIV will make an apostolic journey to the City-State on March 28 next year.) — Matteo Bruni

Mentioned People

  • Leon XIV — Pope, born in the USA as Robert Prevost, elected in May 2025.
  • Matteo Bruni — Director of the Holy See Press Office.
  • Albert II — Prince of Monaco, who invited the Pope for a visit.