ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a significant visit to Lampedusa, the epicenter of Europe’s migration crisis, in May. This visit will coincide with his outreach to Italians affected by years of hazardous waste disposal by the mafia. The Vatican disclosed these travel plans on Thursday, detailing Leo's itinerary for the next six months, which encompasses visits to various Italian cities.
Leo’s agenda includes high-profile visits such as the tomb of St. Augustine, a key figure for his religious order. The Vatican has seldom shared such comprehensive plans so far in advance, although some details had already begun circulating.
Adding to the itinerary of Italian destinations, Leo is also preparing for extensive international travel in 2026. There are preliminary plans for a trip across four African nations—Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Cameroon—shortly after Easter. Furthermore, Leo has expressed an intention to visit Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay later in the year, while a trip to his home country, the United States, has been ruled out for this year.
As the first U.S.-born pope, Leo faced constraints during his initial year in office, primarily due to a busy schedule surrounding the 2025 Holy Year. This period attracted millions of pilgrims to the Vatican, requiring his presence. With the Jubilee concluded, Leo now has opportunities for more parish visits within his Roman diocese, which he has initiated each Sunday throughout Lent, leading up to Easter.
Leo's travels will officially commence on May 8, with a visit to Naples and the ancient city of Pompeii, followed by a meeting with the faithful in Acerra on May 23. This area, known as the “Land of Fires,” has suffered from toxic waste dumping by the mafia, resulting in increased cancer rates and health complications among its residents.
On June 20, Leo will travel north to Pavia, situated near Milan, to pay homage to St. Augustine’s tomb, a visit that holds personal significance for him. He has often referred to himself as a son of the 5th-century saint, emphasizing his connection to the legacy of St. Augustine.
Another noteworthy date in Leo's travel schedule is July 4, when he will journey to Lampedusa, an island that is geographically closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. This location holds historical significance, as Pope Francis made it his first trip outside Rome following his election in 2013 to demonstrate solidarity with migrants arriving there after perilous journeys from North Africa.
Francis famously celebrated Mass on Lampedusa, using an altar crafted from shipwrecked migrant boats and condemned the “globalization of indifference” toward migrants, a mantra that became emblematic of his papacy.
On August 6, Leo plans to visit Assisi, a hilltop town in Umbria, which is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of its most renowned resident, St. Francis. Towards the end of August, specifically on the 22nd, he will participate in an annual political and religious conference held in Rimini, a seaside resort along the Adriatic coast.
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and having spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, has expressed a passion for travel. His previous roles included significant travel during his two six-year terms as the superior of his Augustinian religious order, which necessitated visiting Augustinian communities across the globe.
