Pope Leo will travel to Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon from April 13–23, marking his first major overseas trip of 2026. The trip underscores the Vatican’s growing focus on Africa, home to roughly one-fifth of the world’s Catholics and a region where the Church is experiencing its most explosive growth. Elected in May to lead the 1.4 billion-member Church, Leo is expected to draw large crowds. He plans to use the trip to promote development and interfaith dialogue, particularly between Christians and Muslims. The visit is historic in Muslim-majority Algeria, which has never hosted a pope. It also carries deep personal significance for Leo, whose Augustinian order traces its roots to St. Augustine, a native of the region.
CNBC Africa
