Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algiers on Monday, marking the commencement of an 11-day apostolic journey across Africa, his first to the continent since being elected to the papacy in May 2025.
The 70-year-old pontiff touched down at Houari Boumediene Airport to begin a four-nation tour that will see him travel to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The visit, which includes 18 flights and stops in 11 cities, is expected to focus heavily on interfaith dialogue, humanitarian relief, and the expansion of the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa.
While in the Algerian capital today, the Pope is scheduled to meet with government officials and the Little Sisters of the Poor. Speaking to journalists during the flight from Rome, he emphasized a message of global peace, describing the journey as a mission to answer the “Gospel’s call to mercy” during a period of heightened international geopolitical tension.
The itinerary for the remainder of the week is as follows:
- Cameroon (April 15–18): The Pope will travel to Bamenda to address regional humanitarian concerns and visit local orphanages.
- Angola (April 18–21): A three-day stay in one of Africa’s most populous Catholic nations, where he will lead a massive open-air Mass.
- Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23): The final leg includes visits to psychiatric hospitals and prisons before he returns to the Vatican.
The American-born Pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, is expected to deliver more than 20 speeches and homilies throughout the trip. Church officials noted that the tour is a significant diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with African nations, which currently represent the fastest-growing demographic for the global Catholic Church.
