Pope Leo XIV will visit four African countries in 2026

The Vatican announced Pope Leo XIV will travel to Monaco, Spain and four African countries (Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea) in the first half of 2026, and will also begin a multi-stop tour of Italy in May.

The Vatican announced a busy foreign travel schedule for Pope Leo XIV in the first half of 2026, naming visits to Monaco, Spain and four African nations. The pope will also undertake a series of one-day visits across Italy beginning in May. Travel paused after his election and the 2025 Jubilee has now resumed, allowing more international engagements. Earlier as pope he made a trip to Turkey and Lebanon that fulfilled promises left from the previous pontificate. Planned itinerary highlights: - One-day visit to Monaco on March 28. - A 10-day African trip from April 13 to April 23 to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. - Nearly a week in Spain from June 6 to June 12, with a widely expected presence in Barcelona on June 10. - A multi-stop tour of Italy beginning in May with around six one-day visits. - The Vatican confirmed he will not travel to the United States this year and that he will visit Lampedusa on July 4. Summary: The announced schedule represents one of the more active papal travel plans in recent years and signals a return to frequent foreign visits. Other destinations such as Peru and possibly Argentina and Uruguay are mentioned for later in 2026 but have not been formally announced by the Vatican.