Pope Leo heads to Africa on ambitious tour to urge help for continent
Pope Leo XIV delivers his Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) blessing from the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Pope Leo leaves on Monday for a visit to four countries in Africa, in an ambitious tour to urge global leaders to address the needs of the continent where more than a fifth of the world's Catholics live on his first major overseas trip of 2026.
Over 10 days from April 13-23, Leo will travel nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) to visit 11 cities and towns in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea as part of a whirlwind itinerary that includes 18 flights.
