Pope Leo XIV has concluded his first international apostolic journey, departing Beirut on Tuesday following a six-day tour that took him through Turkey and Lebanon.
As the Pontiff wrapped up his inaugural trip abroad, he immediately turned his attention to future travels, expressing a strong desire to visit the African continent in 2026.
A Focus on Saint Augustine
The Pope specifically highlighted Algeria as a priority destination. He expressed a personal wish to visit historical sites associated with the life of Saint Augustine.
Leo, who assumed the papacy in May, is the first Pope to belong to the Augustinian order. The order, founded in the 13th century, currently has nearly 3,000 members across 50 countries.
The Holy Father views a potential visit to the North African nation as a vital step in continuing the discourse of dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and Muslim worlds. He noted that Saint Augustine remains a respected historical figure in the predominantly Muslim country, providing a unique cultural and spiritual link.
Beyond Algeria, the Vatican indicated that the proposed African itinerary could also include stops in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Interfaith Dialogue in Lebanon
During the final leg of his current trip, Pope Leo commended Lebanon’s longstanding history of religious pluralism and tolerance.
His itinerary in Beirut included a significant interfaith gathering, where he met with the country’s Christian patriarchs alongside Sunni, Shiite, and Druze spiritual leaders to promote unity in the region.
Latin American Roots
Looking further ahead, the first US-born Pope also expressed a deep personal interest in traveling to Latin America.
He listed Argentina and Uruguay as desired destinations, along with Peru. A visit to Peru would hold special personal significance, as the Pontiff spent more than 20 years there working as a missionary before his ascent to the papacy.
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