Pope Leo XIV will visit Angola in his first pastoral journey to Africa, Vatican envoy confirms. Dates and itinerary are being finalized.
Newsroom (13/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) When Angola welcomes Pope Leo XIV later this year, it will mark a historic moment — not only for the Southern African nation but also for the Catholic Church’s evolving relationship with the African continent. The Apostolic Nuncio in Angola has confirmed that the pontiff accepted invitations from both the country’s Catholic Bishops and President João Lourenço, paving the way for what will be his first pastoral journey to Africa since ascending to the papacy.
Addressing a press conference in Luanda on Tuesday, January 13, Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel announced that the plans for the papal visit are underway. “At this moment, we are preparing the plan and program for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Africa. We do not yet have details on the exact date or program, but these will be communicated as soon as they are defined,” he stated.
The Polish-born Vatican diplomat, who also serves as the Holy See’s representative to São Tomé and Príncipe, extended a heartfelt invitation for Angolans to prepare spiritually and communally for the pope’s arrival. “I hope that the Holy Father’s visit will be an opportunity to rediscover the values that have shaped the Angolan people and to share these values with the diverse communities that live and work around the world,” Archbishop Dubiel said.
National and Ecclesial Mobilization
Leaders of the Angolan Church have already begun mobilizing. Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST), called on citizens and faithful to take an active role in organizing the visit. “Each of these committees should give their best in the preparation, promotion, and realization of all tasks assigned,” he urged, emphasizing unity and dedication in the months ahead.
Archbishop Imbamba also conveyed deep gratitude to the pope for accepting the invitation: “We thank the Holy Father for his openness and willingness to meet the people of Angola in their faith.”
A Visit of Spiritual and Cultural Significance
In Luanda, Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias described the papal journey as a “moment of great human and spiritual comfort,” noting its alignment with a milestone year for the Angolan capital — the 450th anniversary of Luanda. “It is 450 years as a city, 450 years celebrating the faith,” he said, highlighting how the visit connects with both civic heritage and spiritual renewal.
Archbishop Dias further emphasized that the event situates Angola firmly within “the path of evangelization and universality,” and praised the national government for “opening the doors” to collaborate with church leaders to ensure the visit’s success.
A Pope with Deep African Ties
For observers of Vatican diplomacy, Pope Leo XIV’s journey holds profound resonance. Even before his election as Pontiff in May 2025, the American-born member of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) had developed extensive firsthand knowledge of Africa. As Prior General of his religious order, he had worked closely with communities across the continent — a background that makes him the first modern pope to have personally visited all five African subregions before assuming the papacy.
His relationship with Africa spans decades. Between 2001 and 2016, he visited Nigeria at least nine times, according to reports by the Nigeria Catholic Network. In 2009, he presided over the inauguration of the Augustinian University in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenya’s Augustinian community also recalls his multiple visits, including one as recently as December 2024. “He has always valued the African Church and its vitality,” said Fr. Robert Karanja Ireri earlier in 2025. Likewise, his pastoral work took him to neighboring Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa, where members of the Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus fondly remember interacting with him long before his elevation to the papacy.
Anticipation Builds Across Africa
Just a month before his election, the then-cardinal expressed a strong desire to return to Africa as Pope, naming Algeria as a potential destination along with Angola, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. The Vatican’s announcement now confirms that intention is becoming reality — with Angola set as one of the key stops on a journey that bridges faith, history, and a shared future.
As the details of the visit are finalized, the anticipation among Catholics and citizens across Angola continues to grow. For a country marking 450 years of faith and resilience, the arrival of Pope Leo XIV promises to be both a celebration of heritage and a new chapter in global Catholic unity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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