Presented here are the various activities undertaken by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, throughout the month of April, including, most notably, his first celebration of the Easter Triduum and the Apostolic Journey to Africa, which stands as a significant highlight of his pastoral mission during this period.
Legend:
Red text: Liturgical Celebrations
Blue text: Audiences and other commitments announced in advance
Orange text: Acts for special occasion
Green text: Apostolic Journey / Rest day
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April 2026
Holy Week
4.1 - Farewell audience for Johanna Gerarda Maria Ruigrok, Ambassador of the Netherlands.
10 am: Wednesday General Audience at St. Peter's Square
4.2 - 9.30 am: Chrism Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
5.30 pm: Holy Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Basilica of St. John Lateran; the Holy Father washed the feet of 12 priests, 11 of whom were personally ordained by him last May 31, 2025.
4.3 - In the morning the Holy Father spoke by phone to the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
5 pm: Celebration of the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica
9.15 pm: Via Crucis at the Colosseum; The Holy Father carried the Cross at all the stations.
4.4 - 9 pm: Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica during which the Holy Father administered Baptism and Confirmation to 10 adults
4.5 - Easter Sunday
10.15 am: Holy Mass at St. Peter's Square
12 nn: Easter Message and Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi"; Easter greeting in 10 languages.
4.6 - 12 nn: Regina Coeli
4.7 - Weekly Rest at Castel Gandolfo
Message, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Holy Father, to the inhabitants of the village of Debel (Lebanon).
4.8 - 10 am: Wednesday General Audience at St. Peter's Square; the Holy Father renews his invitation for everyone to participate in the prayer vigil for peace to take place in St. Peter's Basilica on April 11.
4.9 - Audience for Federico Antellini Russo, Director of the Financial Supervision and Information Authority.
Audience for Carlo De Benedetti, National Coordinator of the Cursillos of Christianity in Italy.
Audience for Chiara Amirante, Founder of the Nuovi Orizzonti Association.
10.30 am: Audience in the Clementine Hall for the Athletes of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Audience for David M. Axelrod and Entourage.
4.10 - Audience for Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, and entourage.
Audience for Elena Beccalli, Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.
11.30 am: Audience for the members of the Synod of the Church of Baghdad of the Chaldeans.
12 nn: Audience in the Clementine Hall for the managers and employees of the National Institute of Social Security (INPS).
4.11 - Audience for Fahrettin Altun, the new Turkish ambassador to the Holy See.
Audience for Trần Thanh Mẫn, President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and entourage.
6 pm: Prayer of the Rosary for Peace in St. Peter's Basilica; before the prayer vigil, the Holy Father went to the parvis of the Basilica to greet the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
4.12 - 12 nn: Regina Coeli
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3rd FOREIGN APOSTOLIC PILGRIMAGE
Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea: 13-23 April
4.13 - 8 am: Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Algiers
The ITA Airways flight AZ4000 departed Rome at 9.06 am [Rome time]. The flight lasted 1 hour and 42 minutes and covered a distance of 964 km. The flight landed at 9.48 am [Algiers time]. The Holy Father sent a telegram to the president of Italy.
Algeria
Algiers
9 am: Arrival at Algiers “Houari Boumédiène” International Airport; Welcome ceremony.
9.45 am: Visit to the Maqam Echahid Martyrs’ Monument; speech at the terrace of the monument greeting the approximately 2000 faithful gathered.
10:15 am: Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace
11 am: Meeting with the authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the “Djamaa el Djazair” Conference Center.
Transfer to the Apostolic nunciature for a short rest
3.15 pm: Visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers.
4.15 pm: Private Visit to the Welcome and Friendship Center of the Augustinian Missionary Sisters in Bab El Oued.
4.40 pm: Meeting with the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa; the Holy Father listened to some testimonies; speech; recitation of the Pater Noster.
Message on the occasion of the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, entitled "An Exegesis Sensitive to the Drama of the Suffering," which took place from 13 to 17 April 2026
4.14 - 9.20 am: Departure by airplane from Algiers “Houari Boumédiène” International Airport to Annaba, the ancient Hippo where St. Augustine served as Bishop for more than 30 years.
The Air Algérie flight A220 departed Algiers at 9.38 am [local time] and covered a distance of 410 km; the flight lasted 54 minutes. It landed at Annaba at 10.32 am.
Annaba
10.30 am: Arrival at Annaba “Rabah Bitat” International Airport
11 am: Visit to the Archaeological site of Hippo; the Holy Father walked through the ruins and at the end laid a wreath in memory of St. Augustine
Transfer by car to the Nursing Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor
11.35 am: Visit to the Nursing Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor; meeting with approximately 40 people who are assisted, the sisters of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the staff of the home in the meeting room.
12.10 pm: Private Meeting with members of the Augustinian Order at the Augustinian Community House; lunch.
3.30 pm: Holy Mass in the Basilica of Saint Augustine
6 pm: Departure by airplane from Annaba “Rabah Bitat” International Airport to Algiers
The Air Algérie flight A220 departed Annaba at 5.58 pm [local time] with a distance of 410 km; the flight lasted 52 minutes. It landed at Annaba at 6.50 pm.
Algiers
7.10 pm: Arrival at Algiers “Houari Boumédiène” International Airport
Message to the participants in the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (Casina Pio IV, 14 – 16 April 2026)
Letter sent to the College of Cardinals
4.15 - In the morning, Holy Mass at the Nunciature
Surprise visit to the Notre Dame d'Afrique Nursery, run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity
9.40 am: Farewell Ceremony at Algiers “Houari Boumédiène” International Airport
10.10 am: Departure from Algiers Airport for Yaoundé
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed at 10.16 am (local time) and covered a distance of 3,749 km; the flight lasted 4 hours 41 minutes, landing at Yaoundé at 2.57 pm (local time). The Holy Father sent a telegram to the heads of state of Niger, Chad, and Nigeria.
Cameroon
Yaoundé
3.20 pm: Arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport; Welcome Ceremony
The Holy Father was welcomed by the Prime Minsiter Joseph Dion Ngute; transfer by car to the presidential palace.
4.20 pm: Courtesy visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace
5.05 pm: Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society, and the Diplomatic Corps at the Congress Center
5.45 pm: Visit to the Ngul Zamba Orphanage; meeting at the main room with the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, children and the orphanage workers
Transfer by car to the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon
6.25 pm: Private Meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference
Transfer by car to the Apostolic Nunciature for an overnight stay.
4.16 - 10.05 am: Departure from Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport for Bamenda
The Camair-Co Boeing 737-700 departed Yaoundé at 10.05 am (local time) and covered a distance of 301 km; the flight lasted 35 minutes, landing in Bamenda at 10.40 am (local time).
Bamenda
11 am: Arrival at Bamenda Airport
11.30 am: Meeting for Peace with the Community of Bamenda in Saint Joseph’s Cathedral; at the end of the meeting, the Holy Father, accompanied by representatives of the Bamenda community at the entrance to the Cathedral, released seven doves as a sign of peace.
Transfer by car to the Archbishopric of Bamenda for a private lunch.
3.15 pm: Holy Mass at Bamenda International Airport; the Mass was attended by approx. 20,000 faithful
5.25 pm: Departure from Bamenda Airport for Yaoundé
The Camair-Co Boeing 737-700 departed Bamenda at 5.30 pm and covered a distance of 301 km; the flight lasted 35 minutes, landing in Yaounde at 6.05 pm.
Yaoundé
6.20 pm: Arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport; transfer to the Nunciature.
In the evening, meeting in the nunciature with a group of 12 representatives of Cameroonian Islamic communities.
Message, signed and sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father on the occasion of the Second National Meeting of Territorial Representatives for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, taking place in Rome from 16 to 18 April 2026.
4.17 - 9 am: Departure from Yaoundé-Nsimalen Airport for Douala
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed Yaoundé at 8.55 am (local time) and covered a distance of 206 km; the flight lasted 29 minutes, landing in Douala at 9.24 am (local time).
Douala
9.55 am: Arrival at Douala International Airport; transfer by car to the "Japoma Stadium"
11 am: Holy Mass at “Japoma Stadium”; the Mass was attended by approx. 120,000 faithful
1.20 pm: Private visit to Saint Paul Catholic Hospital
2.10 pm: Departure from Douala Airport for Yaoundé
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed from Douala at 2.19 pm (local time), covering a distance of 206 km. The flight lasted 37 minutes and landed in Yaoundé at 2.56 pm (local time).
Yaoundé
3.15 pm: Arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport
Transfer by car to the University; along the way the Holy Father unveiled and blessed a statue of St. Augustine
5.30 pm: Meeting with University Students and Professors at the Catholic University of Central Africa
Transfer by car to the Nunciature; in the evening, meeting with representatives of the National Conference of Major Superiors.
4.18 - 9.30 am: Holy Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport attended by approximately 200,000 faithful
12 nn: Farewell Ceremony at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport
12.30 pm: Departure by airplane from Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport for Luanda
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed Yaounde at 12.47 pm (local time), covering a distance of 1404 km. The flight lasted 1 hour, 58 minutes, and it landed in Luanda at 2.45 pm (local time).
The Holy Father sent a telegram to the heads of state of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.
Angola
Luanda
3 pm: Arrival at “4 de Fevereiro” Luanda International Airport; Welcome Ceremony; the Holy Father was welcomed by the President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
3.40 pm: Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace
4.15 pm: Meeting with the Authorities, civil societies, and the Diplomatic Corps in the Protocol Pavilion of the Presidential Palace.
Transfer by car to the Apostolic Nunciature
7 pm: Private Meeting with the Bishops of Angola at the Nunciature
Message on the occasion of the meeting of the "Toniolo Young Professional Association," which will take place at the Cremona Campus from 17 to 19 April 2026
4.19 - Transfer by Popemobile from the Nunciature to Kilamba, a planned urban development located about 30 kilometres south of Luanda
10 am: Holy Mass in Kilamba Esplanade attended by 100,000 faithful
Return by car to the Apostolic Nunciature for lunch and a short rest
3.45 pm: Departure by helicopter (MI-171SH) from Luanda “4 de Fevereiro” to Muxima, where a famous Marian Shrine is located.
Muxima
4.15 pm: Arrival at Muxima Heliport
4.30 pm: Visit to the Shrine of "Mama Muxima" for a brief moment of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Holy Rosary Prayer on the esplanade in front of the Shrine.
5.45 pm: Departure by helicopter from the Muxima heliport to Luanda “4 de Fevereiro” Airport
Luanda
6.15 pm: Arrival at Luanda “4 de Fevereiro” Airport
Transfer by car to the Apostolic nunciature for an overnight rest.
Message—signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin—that the Holy Father sent to the President of the "G. Toniolo" Institute of Higher Studies, Archbishop Mario Delpini, on the occasion of the 102nd "Catholic University Day"
4.20 - 7.50 am: Departure by airplane from Luanda's “4 de Fevereiro” Airport for Saurimo
The Angola Airlines airbus departed from Luanda at 8.03 am (local time), covering a distance of 797 km. The flight lasted 73 minutes and landed in Saurimo at 9.16 am (local time).
Saurimo
9.20 am: Arrival at Saurimo Airport “Deolinda Rodrigues."
9.45 am: Visit to the Nursing Home; meeting with the patients and staff of the facility at the courtyard of the home.
Transfer by car to the esplanade; a brief stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
11.15 am: Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade attended by 60,000 faithful
1.45 pm: Departure by plane from Saurimo “Deolinda Rodrigues” Airport for Luanda
Luanda
3.15 pm: Arrival at Luanda “4 de Fevereiro” International Airport; the Angola Airlines airbus arrived at Luanda at 3.13 pm; transfer by car to the Nuncuature.
Transfer by car to the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima
5.30 pm: Meeting with Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Men and Women and Pastoral Workers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima
Transfer by car to the Nunciature.
4.21 - Morning Mass at the Nunciature
8.45 am: Farewell Ceremony at Luanda “4 de Fevereiro” International Airport
9.15 am: Departure by airplane from Luanda's “4 de Fevereiro” International Airport for Malabo
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed Luanda at 9.19 am (local time), covering a distance of 1482 km. The flight lasted 132 minutes, and it landed in Malabo at 11.31 am (local time).
The Holy Father sent a telegram to the heads of state of the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon.
During the flight, the Holy Father remembers his predecessor, Pope Francis, on the first anniversary of his passing.
Equatorial Guinea
Malabo
11.45 am: Arrival at Malabo International Airport; Welcome Ceremony; the holy Father was welcomed by the president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and his wife.
12.30 pm: Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace
1 pm: Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps at the Presidential Palace
Transfer by car to the Archbishop's house for a short rest.
4 pm: Meeting with the World of Culture at the León XIV Campus of the National University; before the meeting a bust of the holy Father was unveiled.
5.15 pm: Visit to the Staff and Patients of the “Jean Pierre Olie” Psychiatric Hospital; meeting with the patients and hospital staff at the main courtyard; visit to the exhibition of works created by the patients.
Transfer by car to the Archbishop's house.
7 pm: Private Meeting and dinner with the Bishops of Equatorial Guinea
Message that the Holy Father sent to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, on the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis was read during the Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
4.22 - 8.10 am: Departure by airplane from Malabo for Mongomo
The Boeing 777-200 departed Malabo at 8.10 am and arrived at Mongomo at 9.10 am
Mongomo
9.10 am: Arrival at Mengomeyén “Presidente Obiang Nguema” International Airport
10.30 am: Holy Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception; the Holy Father received a warm reception from the faithful gathered in the Basilica. Before the Mass, he greeted the faithful outside and subsequently blessed the first stone of the Cathedral of Ciudad de la Paz.
12.30 pm: Visit to the “Pope Francis Technology School”; blessing of the facility and brief tour at the training center.
1.10 pm: Departure from Mengomeyén “Presidente Obiang Nguema” International Airport for Bata
The Boeing 777-200 departed Mongomo at 3.10 pm, arriving at Bata at 3.40 pm
Bata
3.50 pm: Arrival at Bata International Airport
Transfer by car to the Bata Prison; brief stop at the Cathedral of St. James and Our Lady of the Pillar for a moment of prayer.
4.50 pm: Visit to the Bata Prison; meeting with the inmates, prison staff, and representatives of the prison ministry at the facility's internal courtyard.
5.25 pm: Moment of Prayer at the Memorial to the Victims of the explosion of 7 March 2021
6.10 pm: Meeting with Young People and Families at Bata Stadium
7.40 pm: Departure from Bata Airport for Malabo
The Boeing 777-200 departed Bata at 7.18 pm and arrived at Malabo at 8.30 pm
Malabo
8.30 pm: Arrival at Malabo International Airport
4.23 - 10 am: Holy Mass at Malabo Stadium attended by 30,000 faithful
12.15 pm: Farewell Ceremony at Malabo International Airport
12.45 pm: Departure from Malabo Airport for Rome
The ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo departed Malabo at 12.54 pm (local time), covering a distance of 4229 km. The flight lasted 324 minutes, and it landed in Rome at 7.18 pm (Rome time).
The Holy Father sent a telegram to the heads of state of Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy.
7.55 pm: Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport
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4.24 - Audience for the 32 Bishops of Vietnam who came for an "ad limina" visit.
Video message sent to the participants in the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in the state of Illinois, which is taking place at DePaul University in Chicago
4.25 - Audience for Hans-Gert Pöttering, former President of the European Parliament;
11 am: Audience in the Clementine Hall for approximately 190 members of the European People's Party in the European Parliament.
11.45 am: Audience in the Paul VI Hall for approximately 7000 participants in the 3rd National Meeting of Teachers of Catholic Religion, on the theme “The heart speaks to the heart” promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
4.26 - 9 am: Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica during which the Holy Father ordained 10 new priests.
12 nn: Regina Coeli
4.27 - In the presence of the Holy Father, 5 Decrees from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding martyrdom, offering of life, and heroic virtues were promulgated.
9.30 am: Audience for Sarah Mullally, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury; Ecumenical Prayer in the Urban VIII Chapel
12.15 pm: Audience in the Consistory Hall for the Members of the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome at the blessing of the cornerstone of the "Heart Center—Pope Francis."
6 pm: Visit to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy at Piazza della Minerva 74 in Rome, on the occasion of the 325th anniversary of its foundation.
4.28 - Weekly Rest at Castel Gandolfo
On 24 April 2026, Holy Father Leo XIV granted the Ecclesiastica Communio requested by His Beatitude Polis III Nona, who was canonically elected Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans on 12 April 2026 by the Synod of Bishops of his Church sui iuris, in accordance with Can. 76 § 2 of the CCEO, during a celebration in Rome.
4.29 - 10 am: Wednesday General Audience at St. Peter's Square
4.30 - 9.30 am: Audience in the Consistory Hall for the Delegation of the “Weltkirche & Dialog” of the Archdiocese of Cologne
Audience for the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the Antilles on the occasion of their “ad Limina Apostolorum” visit.
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For previous months of the activities of Pope Leo XIV:
2026:
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