Pope Leo XIV is planning a pastoral visit to Angola as part of a broader African tour this year, with local authorities and Church leaders preparing for the pontiff’s arrival, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said. Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel confirmed that President João Lourenço and the Catholic bishops of Angola have extended an invitation that Leo has accepted, though the exact dates and programme are still being finalized, Reuters reported.
The planned trip would be Pope Leo’s first overseas journey to the African continent in 2026, following his 2025 visits to Turkey and Lebanon, Archbishop Dubiel told journalists in Luanda, adding that preparations are underway to welcome the pontiff. The Apostolic Nunciature said the visit is expected to focus on faith, peace and unity, and will include engagements with state authorities, religious leaders and the faithful.
Church officials described the upcoming visit as a moment of human and spiritual significance, particularly as Angola marks the 450th anniversary of Luanda, emphasizing its role in evangelization and shared values. Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias said the trip would place Angola “on the path of evangelization and universality,” underscoring the historic and cultural dimensions of the pontiff’s visit.
The last papal visit to Angola was by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. If realised, Pope Leo’s tour would highlight continuity in the Vatican’s outreach to African nations and reaffirm Angola’s importance as a destination for high-level spiritual engagement in the region.
