Pope Leo XIV at the Ash Wednesday Mass taken at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 18, 2026. Pope Leo XIV will visit four African nations in April, the Vatican said Thursday, including Algeria – the first time a pope will travel to the North African Muslim nation. But the official trip to Algeria, which will see Leo visit Algiers and Annaba from April 13 to 15, will be particularly symbolic. While in the Canary Islands, Leo will visit Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Vatican News said. The announcements of the trips follow news the pope will visit a series of areas within Italy in the coming months, including the island of Lampedusa.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 25, 2026 14:40 UTC