Nigeria Missing as Pope Leo XIV Plans African Trip
Last update: December 3, 2025
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Pope Leo XIV says his next international trip may be to Africa, expressing a personal wish to visit Algeria...
Nigeria was notably absent on Tuesday as Pope Leo XIV, head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, announced that his next international journey may take him to Africa, with a personal desire to visit Algeria in 2026.
CBI News reports that the pontiff made the disclosure during a press conference aboard the papal plane while returning from his inaugural six-day international trip, which covered Turkey and Lebanon from 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 Pope, elected in May 2025 and a member of the Augustinian Order, highlighted both the theological and political importance of a visit to 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 believes such a visit would strengthen efforts to promote dialogue and build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.
CBI News understands that officials also hinted that a potential Africa tour could include Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Pope Leo XIV added that he would “very much like to visit Latin America,” naming Argentina, Uruguay and Peru, countries where he previously spent more than 20 years as a missionary.
