Apostolic Journey to Africa — Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea
13–23 Apr 2026
Pope Leo XIV's historic 11-day journey across four African nations: Algeria (first papal visit), Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. A journey of peace, evangelisation, and solidarity.
Itinerary
- 1🇩🇿Algiers
Mon 13 Apr
Capital of Algeria and Mediterranean crossroads where Arab, Berber, Ottoman and French heritage converge. The first papal visit to Algeria in history.
- 10:00Arrival — Houari Boumediene International Airport
- 14:00Meeting with President Tebboune — Presidential Palace, Algiers
- 17:00Ecumenical prayer at the Christian-Muslim Dialogue Centre
- 2🇩🇿Annaba
Tue 14 Apr
Ancient Hippo Regius, where Saint Augustine served as bishop from 395–430 AD. His Confessions and City of God shaped Western Christianity for 1,600 years.
- 09:00Visit to the Basilica of Saint Augustine — On the site of ancient Hippo Regius
- 11:30Address on Christian-Islamic Dialogue
- 15:00Departure for Yaoundé
- 3🇨🇲Yaoundé
Wed 15 Apr
Capital of Cameroon, the "City of Seven Hills" and seat of a vibrant Catholic archdiocese — gateway to Central Africa's rich Christian heritage.
- 08:30Arrival — Nsimalen International Airport
- 11:00Meeting with President Paul Biya
- 15:30Holy Mass — Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo
- 18:30Meeting with bishops of RECOWA-CERAO
- 4🇨🇲Bamenda
Thu 16 Apr
Heart of Cameroon's English-speaking Catholic community and a centre of faith amidst calls for dialogue and reconciliation.
- 09:00Open-air Holy Mass — Bamenda Stadium
- 12:30Meeting with youth representatives
- 15:00Prayer for peace in the Northwest Region
- 5🇨🇲Douala
Fri 17 Apr
Cameroon's economic capital and largest city, with a diverse Catholic community shaped by decades of missionary work along the Atlantic coast.
- 09:00Meeting with civil society and business leaders
- 11:00Eucharistic Celebration — Palais des Sports de Douala
- 14:30Departure for Luanda
- 6🇦🇴Luanda
Sat 18 Apr
Capital of Angola. Catholicism has been present here since Portuguese missionaries arrived in 1491, making Angola one of Africa's oldest Christian nations.
- 08:00Arrival — Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport
- 11:00Meeting with President João Lourenço
- 15:00Address to the youth of Angola
- 18:00Evening prayer — Cathedral of the Holy Saviour
- ✓🇦🇴MuximaLive
Sun 19 Apr
Home to the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima, Angola's most revered Marian sanctuary, drawing millions of pilgrims each year to its 16th-century colonial chapel.
- 09:00Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima
- 12:00Prayer for African families
- 8🇦🇴Saurimo
Mon 20 Apr
Capital of Lunda Sul, Angola's diamond-rich eastern province. The papal visit shines a light on communities far from the capital.
- 09:00Meeting with mining workers and local community
- 11:00Mass for the poor and marginalised
- 14:30Departure for Malabo
- 9🇬🇶Malabo
Tue 21 Apr
Capital of Equatorial Guinea on the volcanic island of Bioko. Over 90% of the population is Catholic — one of Africa's most intensely Catholic nations.
- 09:00Arrival — Santa Isabel Airport
- 11:00Meeting with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema
- 15:00Address to government and diplomatic corps
- 17:30Evening prayer — Cathedral of Santa Isabel
- 10🇬🇶Mongomo
Wed 22 Apr
Site of the new national cathedral, a symbol of the Church's growing presence in mainland Equatorial Guinea (Río Muni).
- 09:00Consecration Mass of the New National Cathedral
- 12:00Meeting with bishops of Equatorial Guinea
- 11🇬🇶Bata
Wed 22 Apr
Largest city on the mainland of Equatorial Guinea and the final stop of the Pope's historic African journey.
- 15:00Final open-air Mass — Bata Stadium
- 18:00Farewell address to Africa
- 19:30Departure for Rome
Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!
Pope Leo XIV's presence in Muxima during the Easter Season is a powerful reminder of this gospel passage. As Jesus sent His disciples to continue His mission, so the Pope leads and inspires the global Church to spread the message of peace and reconciliation. Muxima, as a site of pilgrimage, embodies the Holy Spirit's presence and action among the faithful.