Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue international travel in 2026 following his initial trip to Turkey and Lebanon. Africa is a highly likely destination, with Algeria specifically mentioned by the Pope, and potential stops including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. A papal visit to Spain in June 2026 is being discussed, possibly coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death in Barcelona. Potential Spanish itinerary stops include Madrid, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, and cities significant to saints like Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. A trip to Valladolid, Spain, is suggested for the third centenary of the canonization of Saint Turibius de Mogrovejo.
13 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has shared preliminary plans for 2026 trips during press interactions on November 18 and December 2, 2025, emphasizing Africa and Latin America as priorities.1 2
He aims to continue global "pilgrimages" like his predecessors, focusing on personal ties, unfinished papal commitments, and dialogue.1 2
Africa tops the list, with Algeria highlighted for St. Augustine sites and Christian-Muslim dialogue.1 2
Other nations include Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon (potentially delayed by elections), Gabon, Republic of Congo, Nigeria (his ninth visit there), Tanzania, Kenya, and Congo, drawing from his missionary background.1 2
A tour of Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru fulfills Pope Francis' unvisited plans, with Argentina especially anticipated since John Paul II's 1987 trip.1 2
Peru holds personal significance as Leo XIV's former diocese (Chiclayo), though 2026 elections may push it to 2027; neighboring countries could join.1 2
Spain emerges for June 2026, marking Antoni Gaudí's death centenary in Barcelona and potential stops in Madrid, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, and Valladolid for St. Turibius de Mogrovejo.1
Portugal's Fatima shrine is desired, possibly timed for 2027's 110th anniversary.1
Mexico's Our Lady of Guadalupe is likely, backed by bishops and President Sheinbaum ahead of 2031's 500th anniversary.1
These fit Leo XIV's pattern of spiritually significant visits.2
A U.S. trip, despite Vice President Vance's invitation, ranks low due to political divisions and potential instrumentalization.1 2
Later possibilities include France, Vietnam, Croatia, Montenegro, India, and Ukraine, but official announcements are pending amid Jubilee commitments and global tensions.1 2
Assess Catholic tradition of papal travels to foster interfaith dialogue
The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of popes undertaking apostolic journeys that prominently feature interfaith dialogue, a practice deeply rooted in the Second Vatican Council's Nostra Aetate and exemplified through personal encounters that promote mutual respect, peace, and cooperation among religions. This approach underscores the Church's commitment to acknowledging spiritual and moral values in other traditions while maintaining the uniqueness of Christian proclamation, fostering harmony without compromising doctrinal integrity. Papal travels serve as living testimonies to this dialogue, transforming abstract principles into concrete gestures of fraternity across diverse cultures.
The tradition originates from the Second Vatican Council's directive for sincere dialogue with other religions, emphasizing respect for differences while highlighting common human bonds. Nostra Aetate (no. 1, 2) calls for recognizing shared elements that promote fellowship and urges collaboration on religious, social, and public issues. Popes have invoked this council during travels to frame their interfaith initiatives, rejecting superficial syncretism in favor of esteem amid profound differences. John Paul II, in particular, described his 1986 pilgrimage to India as fulfilling this mandate by meeting Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsee leaders in a climate of openness. Such encounters aimed to advance dialogue on urgent issues like world peace, exemplified by his Assisi prayer gathering.
John Paul II elevated papal travel into a dynamic platform for interfaith engagement, visiting mosques, temples, and meeting non-Christian leaders to build bridges. In the Central African Republic during his African tours, he modeled reciprocal visits, as later echoed by Francis. His 1992 journey to Gambia highlighted harmony between Muslims and Christians, praising religious freedom and shared reverence for God as a basis for dialogue and mutual help. "Let goodwill and peace govern our relations! Let us always be willing to speak to each other and listen to each other!" he exhorted.
In West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Guinea), he witnessed Muslims, Christians, and traditional religion followers living in mutual respect, urging focus on commonalities for fellowship. Sri Lanka in 1995 saw him reaffirm the Church's respect for Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and local traditions, rejecting proselytism while committing to cooperation. His 1987 address to the Secretariat for Non-Christians reflected on visits to Africa (meeting traditional leaders), Morocco (addressing Muslims on faith), and India, balancing dialogue with evangelization: "interreligious dialogue is one element in the mission of the Church... the proclamation of God’s saving work in our Lord Jesus Christ is another." These travels produced "fruits of peace and brotherhood" from authentic religious life.
Building on his predecessor, Benedict XVI integrated interfaith dialogue into travels, emphasizing reconciliation. His 2009 Holy Land pilgrimage and visits to synagogues in Cologne and New York symbolized closeness to Judaism. In Rome's Synagogue (2010), he recalled John Paul II's 1986 visit there and stressed Nostra Aetate's role in pursuing "dialogue, fraternity and friendship." He deplored historical anti-Semitism, quoting John Paul II's Western Wall prayer for forgiveness and brotherhood with the "people of the Covenant." Though not always travel-specific, these reinforced the tradition's global reach.
Francis has intensified this legacy with spontaneous, humble gestures during travels, embodying mercy (hesed). In the Central African Republic (2015), he prayed in a mosque after asking permission, removing his shoes, then toured with the imam to visit Christian, Muslim, and Protestant communities—promoting harmony against violence invoked in God's name. "This is no easy journey... but... the only possible path," he urged.
His 2017 Asia trip featured meetings with Myanmar's Buddhist monks, expressing esteem for their tradition and calling for joint rejection of violence. In Muslim-majority Bangladesh, he advanced Christian-Islamic dialogue, honoring predecessors and stressing religious freedom amid Rohingya refugee aid. To Korean religious leaders (2017), he framed dialogue as a "precious... challenge... for the common good and peace," requiring openness and respect for freedoms. Francis often highlights compassion and fraternity, like African Muslims and Christians exchanging Christmas and Eid gifts.
Across these papal journeys, core principles emerge: mutual respect despite differences; rejection of hatred or violence in religion; cooperation for peace, justice, and social good; and safeguarding each tradition's integrity alongside proclamation. Popes address setbacks—hostility, discrimination (e.g., Pashtuns, Rohingya)—with perseverance. Dialogue is "warm and sincere," not abstract but concrete, as in shared prayers or aid. Jewish-Catholic relations, invoked in Rome visits, exemplify healing historical wounds.
This tradition faces no major controversies in sources; recent popes build cohesively on Vatican II, with Francis's style more anecdotal yet aligned.
In summary, papal travels have established an unbroken Catholic tradition of interfaith dialogue since Vatican II, yielding tangible fraternity through John Paul II's global outreach, Benedict's reconciliatory symbols, and Francis's merciful encounters. These journeys invite all to pursue peace as "builders," imploring God's Shalom. Sustained by prayer and action, they witness the Gospel's universal call amid pluralism.