Summary
Pope Leo XIV has denied reports that he might visit the United States in 2026, coinciding with the country’s 250th anniversary of independence. While no U.S. trip is planned for Pope Leo XIV this year, papal travel to other regions will continue. Local church authorities have announced several upcoming visits: African countries including Angola and Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and South America’s Peru are expected destinations. In Europe, Spain has also been mentioned as a potential visit location during the summer. Previous popes have made multiple U.S. trips, with notable stops by Pope Paul VI in 1965. John Paul II visited several times, including in 1979 and 1995. During his last trip to the United States, Benedict XVI marked his 81st birthday at the White House in 2008. Pope Francis’s visit in 2015 included events such as the canonization of Junípero Serra and a speech at the U.S. Congress. These trips underscore the importance of maintaining relationships with various regions, particularly during significant anniversaries or historical milestones. Pope Leo XIV’s decisions reflect an ongoing strategy to strengthen ties within his global church hierarchy.
Key Topics
Pope Leo XIV, United States, Africa
