Pope Leo is preparing to take to the international stage in 2026, with the Vatican confirming a series of overseas visits that will span Europe and Africa in the first half of the year.

According to an announcement from the Vatican on Wednesday, the pontiff’s first major foreign journey will be a 10-day tour of Africa, scheduled from April 13 to April 23. During the trip, Pope Leo will visit Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon, marking a significant outreach to the continent early in his papacy.

Before that, the pope will make a brief but symbolic one-day visit to Monaco on March 28, becoming one of the few pontiffs to travel to the tiny Mediterranean principality.

Later in the year, Pope Leo will head to Spain for a longer stay from June 6 to June 12, where he is expected to meet church leaders, address the faithful, and take part in major religious events.

The schedule underscores Pope Leo’s intention to prioritize international engagement early in 2026, with a particular focus on Africa, a region of growing importance for the global Catholic Church. Photo by Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar , Wikimedia commons.