Pope Leo will visit four African nations in April in his first major overseas trip of 2026, but Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s largest Catholic communities, is not on the itinerary.
The Vatican announced on Wednesday that the pope will travel to Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon from April 13-23, underscoring the Church’s focus on Africa, where Catholicism is growing fastest.
Nigeria, home to tens of millions of Catholics and roughly 20% of Africa’s Catholic population, was absent from the schedule, despite its demographic weight and strategic importance within the global Church.
Church officials say the trip reflects broader pastoral and diplomatic priorities rather than a ranking of countries by size.
Leo, elected in May to succeed Pope Francis, has made only one foreign journey so far, visiting Turkey and Lebanon late last year. The upcoming Africa tour is expected to draw large crowds and emphasise development, peace-building and interfaith dialogue, particularly in Muslim-majority Algeria.
The visit to Algeria will be historic, marking the first papal trip to the North African country. Leo, a member of the Augustinian religious order, has expressed interest in the country due to its connection to St. Augustine of Hippo, a foundational figure in early Christianity.
The pope’s Africa itinerary also includes Angola and Cameroon, both last visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, and Equatorial Guinea, which was last visited by Pope John Paul II in 1982.
While Nigeria was not included in this tour, Vatican observers note that papal travel plans often evolve and may reflect security, diplomatic and logistical considerations.
Beyond Africa, Leo will make a one-day visit to Monaco on March 28 and travel to Spain from June 6-12, where he is expected to visit the Canary Islands, a major migration gateway to Europe.
The pope is also expected to visit Peru later in 2026, a country where he previously served as a missionary and bishop.
For Nigeria, the omission may disappoint some Catholics, particularly at a time when the country faces security and economic challenges. However, Church leaders say Africa as a whole remains central to the Vatican’s global strategy as Catholic membership continues to expand across the continent.
