Vatican has released the official itinerary for first apostolic journey Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Africa, scheduled for April 13–23. This journey will take the Holy Father to four countries – Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea – This is his first visit to the continent since Elections for the post of Pope in May 2025.
The 11-day visit includes pastoral encounters with Catholic communities, meetings with political leaders and civil society, and symbolic gestures of interreligious dialogue and reconciliation.
The itinerary, officially released on Monday, March 16, focuses on peace, youth engagement and the church’s social mission across Africa.
Opening leg in Algeria
The Pope’s visit is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 13, when he departs from Rome for Algiers. Upon arrival at Houari Boumediene International Airport, they will be welcomed during an official ceremony before the tour. Maqam Ichahid Martyr MemorialA national monument honoring those killed in the Algerian War of Independence.
The Pontiff is then scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Algerian President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and later address representatives of the government, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Jama’a Al Jazair conference centre.
Pope Leo XIV is to visit, highlighting the importance of interreligious dialogue in the Muslim-majority country Great Mosque of AlgiersOne of the largest mosques in the world. The day will conclude with a meeting with members of the local Catholic community at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa.
On Tuesday, April 14, members of the American Order of St. Augustine They are to travel to Annaba, where they are to visit the historic archaeological site of Hippo Regius, which is closely linked to St. Augustine of Hippo.
They are also scheduled to meet elderly residents who care for them little sisters of the poor Before celebrating Mass in the Basilica of St. Augustine.
Cameroon: Emphasis on peace and youth
The second phase of the apostolic visit is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, with the Pope’s arrival in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital. After a reception, he is to meet the country’s President and address officials, civil society leaders and diplomats.
Pope Leo XIV is also to visit the Ngul Jamba Orphanage and meet personally with its members National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).
During his time in Cameroon, the Holy Father is expected to place particular emphasis on reconciliation and social reform. On Thursday, April 16, he is scheduled to travel to Bamenda, where he is scheduled to hold a “meeting for peace” with the local community at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and celebrate Mass at Bamenda International Airport.
The Pope’s visit to Bamenda holds symbolic significance given the political and social tensions experienced in the region in recent years.
On Friday, April 17, the Pope is scheduled to visit Douala, where he is scheduled to preside over a large eucharistic celebration at the Japoma Stadium. The program also includes a personal tour of St. Paul’s Catholic Hospital and interaction with students and professors of the university Catholic University of Central Africa.
Before leaving the Central African nation for a visit to the southern African country of Angola on Saturday, April 18, the Pope is to celebrate a final Mass in Yaoundé with the faithful gathered at Yaoundé-Ville airport.
Angola: Marian devotion and pastoral encounter
The Holy Father is scheduled to arrive in Luanda, the capital of Angola, on the afternoon of April 18, where he is scheduled to meet the country’s president and address government officials and representatives of civil society.
The next day, Sunday, April 19, the Holy Father is to celebrate Mass in the Kilamba district of Luanda before traveling by helicopter to the Marian shrine of Mama Maxima. There, he is to lead the recitation of the rosary with pilgrims gathered in one of Angola’s most important places of Catholic devotion.
On Monday, April 20, Pope Leo XIV is to visit Saurimo, in the eastern region of Angola. His program includes a visit to a nursing home and the celebration of Mass at the Sourimo Esplanade.
Later that day in Luanda, the Holy Father is scheduled to meet with Catholic bishops, priests, male and female religious and pastoral workers at Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
Final stage in Equatorial Guinea
The final leg of the apostolic visit will take the Holy Father to Malabo on Tuesday, April 21. After the official welcome ceremony, he is to meet the President of Equatorial Guinea and address political leaders, civil society representatives and the diplomatic corps.
In the afternoon, Leo is to interact with academics and artists while meeting with representatives of the world of culture at the Leon XIV campus of the National University. The day also included meeting patients and staff Jean Pierre Ollie Psychiatric Hospital.
On Wednesday, April 22, the Pope is to travel to Mongomo to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception before visiting the Pope Francis Technology School.
Later in the day, he is scheduled to visit Bata, where he is scheduled to visit a prison, pray at a memorial dedicated to the victims of the March 7, 2021 blast, and meet youth and families at the Bata Stadium.
End of the month and return to Rome
The apostolic visit to Africa is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, April 23, with a final Mass celebrated by the Pope at the Malabo Stadium.
After the farewell ceremony at Malabo International Airport, the Holy Father is to depart for Rome, arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport later in the evening.
Preparation and motto
All four countries have stepped up preparations ahead of the Holy Father’s arrival in their respective countries, and have released logos, mottoes and prayers ahead of the pastoral visit.
In Algeria, the Holy Father is to visit as a messenger of peace. motto The travel guide is “As-Salam Alaikum” (“Peace be with you”). Catholic bishop in Algeria too issued an official prayer Before the Pope’s visit.
North African country Algeria is one such country Christianity has ancient roots But where Catholics today are a statistically insignificant minority. This is an African country, where the memory of the martyrs is fresh. interreligious coexistence in Algeria This is both a religious imperative and a civic necessity.
Cameroon offers a varied church landscape. Catholic Church in Cameroon Demographically important, institutionally strong, socially influential and politically alert.
The people of God in Cameroon are expected to welcome Pope Leo XIV as a messenger of peace. “Let them all be one,” taken from the Gospel of John 17:21, is the motto of the visit of Catholic bishops in Cameroon Unveiled With logos and prayers.
In Angola, Pope Leo XIV is to visit as a pilgrim of hope. “Pope Leo XIV, Pilgrim of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace” is the motto of the visit. announced by Catholic bishops in the country, with logos and prayers.
Hopefully Equatorial Guinea will welcome Pope Leo XIV as the light that brings hope to the nation. Motto “Christ, the Light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope” Unveiled The identity and mission of the local church is embodied by the Catholic bishop.
More than four decades after the Pope’s last visit, the Press Department of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) made the announcement. Published on January 23The anticipation arose in a nation where Catholicism is deeply woven into the culture, language and public life.
Equatorial Guinea, Africa’s only Spanish-speaking country, holds a unique position on the continent – Linguistically, historically and religiously
