Nigeria’s name was missing as Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, announced on Tuesday that his next international trip may be to Africa, with a personal desire to visit Algeria in 2026.
The pontiff made the announcement during a press conference aboard the papal plane on his return from his inaugural six-day international trip, which included visits to Turkey and Lebanon (November 27 to December 2, 2025).
“I hope to make a trip to Africa, which could be my next trip. Personally, I hope to go to Algeria to visit the places from the life of Saint Augustine,” Pope Leo XIV said.
The 70-year-old pontiff, who was elected Pope in May 2025 and belongs to the Augustinian Order, emphasized the theological and political significance of visiting Algeria.
He said: “The figure of Saint Augustine plays an important role as a bridge because in Algeria he is highly respected as a son of the nation.”
The Vatican expects such a visit would allow the head of the Catholic Church to continue fostering dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and Muslim worlds.
According to the Vatican, a potential voyage to Africa could also include visits to: Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Pope Leo XIV also stated that he would “very much like to visit Latin America,” listing Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru, where he spent over 20 years working as a missionary.
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