Pope Leo XIV Eyes Algeria Visit in 2026 During Africa Tour

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his intention to visit Algeria in 2026 as part of a planned trip to Africa, potentially making the North African nation his next overseas destination.

Speaking on Tuesday during a press conference aboard the papal plane returning from a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, the pontiff said, “I hope to make a trip to Africa, which could be my next trip. Personally, I hope to go to Algeria to visit the places in the life of Saint Augustine.”

The Vatican confirmed that the Africa trip could also include stops in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV added that he also hopes to visit Latin American countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru, where he spent more than 20 years as a missionary.

Reports from DAILY POST note that the pope, elected in May, is a member of the Augustinian Order, founded in the 13th century and currently comprising nearly 3,000 members across 50 countries.

The planned visit to Algeria is expected to strengthen interfaith dialogue, particularly between Christian and Muslim communities. The pontiff highlighted the role of Saint Augustine, saying, “The figure of Saint Augustine plays an important role as a bridge because in Algeria he is highly respected as a son of the nation.”