Pope Leo XIV’s next trip: Algeria?

Which country will Pope Leo XIV travel to next? While he has just completed his first pastoral visit to Türkiye and Lebanon, from November 17 to December 2, 2025, the question is already being asked. Indeed, since the pontificate of the tireless globetrotter that was John Paul II, trips abroad represent a particularly important dimension of the ministry of Peter’s successor.

On the plane bringing him back from Beirut, the first North American pope was questioned on this subject by journalists. “Nothing is certain,” he immediately warned, “(but) I hope to take a trip to Africa: that would probably be the next trip.” » Particularly, “in Algeria to visit the places of Saint Augustine”.

Monks of Tibhirine

For his second visit outside Italy, Leo XIV therefore plans to follow in the footsteps of his great spiritual master. Born in 354 and died in 430, Saint Augustine was in fact bishop of Hippo, present-day Annaba, in Algeria. It is in his spiritual lineage that the Augustinians are part, religious order to which Cardinal Prevost belonged until his election to the pontificate.

In addition, “the figure of Saint Augustine helps a lot to build bridges because in Algeria, he is very respected as a son of the homeland,” continued the Pope. This trip would therefore also be part of the desire to “continue the dialogue, the building of bridges between the Christian world and the Muslim world”.

If it were to take place, this visit would be the first by a pope to Algeria. And even if Leo The year 2026 will also mark the 30th anniversary of their kidnapping and martyrdom.

And Europe?

Besides Algeria, Leo XIV mentioned other possible destinations for apostolic visits. He thus mentioned Latin America, in particular Argentina and Uruguay “which are awaiting the visit of a pope” – Francis did not go there – and Peru “which will also welcome me” – the pope having lived there for a long time. “There would be many neighboring countries too, but the project is not yet defined,” he added.

Europe in general and France in particular were not mentioned. On the north side of the Alps, the possibility of a papal trip is nevertheless viewed with optimism, the Chicago native having made gestures of friendship towards France on several occasions and having shown himself receptive to the idea in front of French bishops. The political situation and the electoral calendar, with several polls planned between now and the summer of 2027, are however taken into account, the Holy See always seeking to avoid the risk of political exploitation of the pope’s visit to a country.