Leo XIV like Wojtyla: the program of the trip to Africa revealed. All the stages of the Pope’s trip from 13 to 23 April
Leo XIV as John Paul II. Leo the “African”, in fact. On the other hand, just like Scipio, the residence is in Rome. And, just like Wojtyla, Prevost will make a long apostolic journey to Africa. To tell the truth, John Paul II carried out 14 of them in Africa during his pontificate. One of these reached the record of 12 days and 7 countries, from 8 to 19 August 1985, when the Pope visited in sequence Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Morocco, Zaire, Ivory Coast and Kenya. Leo XIV does not want to be outdone. For this reason, the African trip scheduled for 13 to 23 April 2026, the program of which has finally been made known by the Vatican, includes Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea as stops.
Leo XIV’s program in Africa
The first visit, as a good Augustinian, could only be in Algerialand of Saint Augustine (native of the ancient city of Hippo, today Annaba). And precisely in Annaba, on April 14th, one of the most important events is scheduled, the private meeting with the members of the Augustinian Order in the community house.
Then the Cameroonto kick off the sub-Saharan experience. Handshake with President Paul Biya and subsequently confidential conversation with the bishops of Cameroon at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference. The conference for Peace (a theme known to be very dear to the Pontiff) and the one with the university world at the Catholic University of Central Africa were fundamental.
Third stage in Angolawhere institutional rather than spiritual meetings will be held: the courtesy visit to President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in the Presidential Palace and the speech to the authorities. On April 19, Leo XIV will stop in Muxima, a city known for its extraordinary natural beauty, and home to the “Mama Muxima” sanctuary. Finally, a short stopover in Saurimo, which is experiencing strong population growth due to the numerous immigrants who have fled from the areas tormented by the war.
The last country to be visited is Equatorial Guineawith a slightly more particular program than the others. The Pope will in fact go to the «Jean Pierre Olie» psychiatric hospital, an internationally renowned center, and to the Bata prison, the political capital of the nation. A moment of prayer at the monument commemorating the victims of the explosion of an armory which on 7 March 2021 caused 20 deaths and around 500 injuries and, finally, the meeting at the Stadium with young people and families, which will put an end to the apostolic journey.
The similarities with Wojtyla
That of Leo XIV was the first trip to Africa of his magisterium. It is right to recall, in this sense, the words spoken by our illustrious predecessor John Paul II in Kinshasa on 2 May 1980: «To all the inhabitants of Africa, of whatever origin or country, I express my friendly and warm greetings, and my feelings of trust. I greet first of all my Catholic children and brothers, and other Christians. I greet each of the African nations. I rejoice with them because they have taken their destiny into their own hands.”
Then, a wish that is surprising for how much it is still relevant, 46 years later: «Every nation still has a long way to go to forge its unity; deepen one’s personality and culture; achieve the development that is required in many fields, and this in justice, with the concern for everyone’s participation and interest; actively participate in the concert of nations. This is why Africa needs independence and disinterested mutual help; he needs peace.” John Paul II spoke, of course. But, given the intentions and personality of the contemporary pontiff, it would not be surprising if Prevost rather than Wojtyla spoke. 46 years later, in Algiers instead of Kinshasa. Leo the “African”.
