Pope Leo XIV has concluded his first international journey as pontiff, departing Beirut on Tuesday after a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon.
Even before returning to Rome, the Holy Father signalled that his next major journey is already taking shape, expressing his hope to visit Africa in 2026.
During the trip, Leo highlighted his desire to travel to Algeria, noting that he wishes to see locations connected to the life of Saint Augustine. Such a visit, he said, would help to “continue the discourse of dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and the Muslim worlds,” since Augustine remains widely respected in the predominantly Muslim country.
Leo, who assumed the papacy in May, is a member of the Augustinian Order, founded in the 13th century and now encompassing nearly 3,000 members across 50 countries.
While in Lebanon, the pope praised the nation’s long tradition of religious coexistence and took part in an interfaith gathering that brought together Christian patriarchs alongside Sunni, Shiite and Druze leaders.
According to the Vatican, a potential Africa trip could include stops in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea as well.
The first US-born pope also shared his wish to travel to the Americas, saying he would “very much” like to visit “Latin America, Argentina, Uruguay”, and Peru, where he previously spent more than two decades as a missionary.
Discussion about this post