Pope Leo XIV looks back on Algeria visit; anticipates landing in Cameroon

 

The Pope aboard the papal flight

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Pope: Algeria visit a ‘special blessing’ and opportunity to promote dialogue

Aboard the papal plane bound for Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV reflects on his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, calling it a “special blessing for me personally” and a “wonderful opportunity to continue to build bridges and promote dialogue.”

By Devin Watkins

As he flew on Wednesday from Algiers to Yaoundé, Pope Leo XIV offered the 70-odd reporters traveling with him aboard the papal plane his thoughts on his just-concluded Apostolic Journey to Algeria.

He opened by expressing his gratitude to the Algerian civil authorities for their warm welcome and the honor they bestowed on the Holy See.

The Pope said the military escort afforded the papal plane in Algerian airspace is a “sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See, to myself.”

He also thanked the “very small but very significant” presence of the Catholic Church in Algeria for their welcome.

Recalling his visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers and the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Pope Leo upheld the legacy of the 5th-century St. Augustine.

“He is still a very important figure today,” said the Pope, “as his writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today, a message that is very real for all of us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, but also for all people.”

Even though the vast majority of Algerians are not Catholic, many of them “very much honor and respect the memory of St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land,” he said.

“It was a special blessing for me personally to return once again to Annaba yesterday,” said Pope Leo, “but also to offer to the Church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers us in terms of that search for God and the struggle to build community, to seek for unity among all peoples and a respect for all peoples in spite of the differences.”

Pope Leo XIV said Algerian Christians offer a profound witness of how to live in peace with their Muslim brothers and sisters, despite any cultural or religious differences.

“In two days in Algeria, we've really had a wonderful opportunity to continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue,” he concluded. “I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.”

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Algeria

 

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Pope at St. Augustine’s Basilica: 'Christ invites us to renew our lives completely'

Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian Pope, celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, and reminds the faithful that, like the great saint and Doctor of the Church, it is never too late to welcome the Lord's invitation to lift us up from our hardships and trials, and, with His strength, renew and transform our lives.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Dearest Christians of Algeria, you remain a humble and faithful sign of Christ’s love in this land. Bear witness to the Gospel through simple gestures, genuine relationships and a dialogue lived out day by day: in this way, you bring flavor and light to the places where you live.”

Pope Leo XIV offered this reminder during the Mass he celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, during his stay in Algeria, the first stop of his four-nation Apostolic Journey across Africa.

READ POPE LEO XIV'S FULL HOMILY

The Pope recalled that “here the martyrs prayed” and “here Saint Augustine loved his flock,” fervently seeking the truth and serving Christ with ardent faith. He urged the faithful to become heirs to this tradition, bearing witness through fraternal charity and living in the freedom of those “born from above,” as a sign of hope for the world.

He began by noting that, although the names of the places that welcome us have changed over the centuries, the saints remain our patrons and faithful witnesses, preserving a connection to the land that comes from heaven.

Recalling how Christ has called saints throughout history to new life, “to be born from above,” the Pope emphasized that this same invitation is extended to every man and woman who seeks salvation. This call, he said, gives rise to the mission of the whole Church, including the Christian community in Algeria.

The Pope explained that from this perspective, faith overcomes earthly hardships and "the Lord’s grace makes the desert blossom." 

Christ invites us to renew our lives

The Pope acknowledged that Christ’s words, “you must be born again from above,” carry the force of a command that can seem impossible.

Yet, when we listen attentively, Pope Leo explained, we come to understand that this is neither a harsh imposition nor a constraint, "and much less a condemnation to failure," but rather Jesus' instruction is “a gift of freedom,” because it reveals that we can be born anew from above thanks to God.

We are called to embrace this according to God’s loving will, which seeks to renew humanity by drawing us into a communion of life that begins with faith.

While Christ invites us to renew our lives completely, Pope Leo reminded, He also gives us the strength to do so.

Like those before us, the Pope acknowledged that we ask the Lord if our story can truly change, especially as we are so weighed down by problems, hardships and tribulations.

The answer is yes, Pope Leo marveled, reminding that the Lord, with His great love, makes this possible.

Jesus carries our burdens with us and for us

No matter how heavy our pain or sin, the Pope said, the Lord carries these burdens with us and for us.

"No matter how discouraged we are by our own weaknesses," the Holy Father insisted, "it is precisely then that God manifests His strength."

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria (@Vatican Media)

God raised Christ from the dead in order to give life to the world, the Pope said, reminding that each one of us can experience the freedom of new life that comes from faith in the Redeemer.

In this way, the Pope said, Christians are truly born from above, regenerated by God as brothers and sisters of Jesus, and the Church that nourishes them with the sacraments.

A community of charity and witness

The Pope then invited the faithful to contemplate the tangible effects of the spiritual unity among believers, where everyone has everything, sharing in one another’s goods as members of a single body.

In the face of poverty and oppression, the Holy Father reiterated, the guiding principle for Christians is charity. Inspired by this law inscribed in our hearts by God, the Holy Father said, the Church is continually reborn, offering hope, dignity and reconciliation where it is needed most.

Pope Leo noted that the Church embraces peoples of every language and culture:

“With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” The charity that motivates them is more than a moral commitment; it is a sign of salvation: the Apostles proclaim that our lives can change because Christ has risen from the dead.

Pastors called to renew their mission

Addressing Bishops and priests, the Pope urged them to renew this mission constantly for the sake of those entrusted to them and reminded them that the whole Church must be a message of new life for those we encounter.

Thus, he cautioned pastors against letting fear lead them astray or to let other challenges weaken their witness.

Finally, in the footsteps of St. Augustine and the martyrs, Pope Leo XIV invited Christians in Algeria to be salt and light in their country.

“Dearest Christians of Algeria, you remain a humble and faithful sign of Christ’s love in this land," he said, urging, "Bear witness to the Gospel through simple gestures, genuine relationships and a dialogue lived out day by day. In this way, you bring flavor and light to the places where you live.”

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria (@Vatican Media

More details as Pope Leo XIV walks in the footsteps of St. Augustine of Hippo

 

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• Algeria
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Pope Leo visits Hippo archeological site in Annaba, Algeria

Returning to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV visits the archaeological site of Hippo in Annaba on his second day in Algeria.

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Retracing the footsteps of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV visited the archaeological site of Hippo in the modern-day city of Annaba on Tuesday, April 14, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria.

Ancient Hippo, or Hippo Regius, today Annaba, was an important coastal city and economic center of the Roman Empire. St. Augustine served as its Bishop from 396 until his death in 430 at the age of 75, as the city was under siege by the Vandals.

Today, several remains of the Roman city are preserved, such as a paved forum, a theatre, a market, baths, cisterns, and figurative mosaics. Similarly, Christian elements from that time have also been maintained, including the so-called Basilica Pacis—where St. Augustine carried out his ministry—and a baptistery.

Under stormy skies, Pope Leo was welcomed at the archeological site by a representative. In the distance, one could see the Basilica of St. Augustine—where later the Pope will preside at Mass—sitting on top of a hill. 

The Pope then moved to lay out a wreath of flowers and paused to pray briefly amidst the ancient stones in the land walked on by his spiritual father. He then planted an olive tree and heard the choir from Annaba's Music Institute sing songs based on texts by St. Augustine on peace and fraternity. 

The Pope places a wreath of flowers at the site (@Vatican Media)

The first Pope to visit Algeria

Although Pope Leo is the first Pope to visit Algeria, he recalled in an address on April 13 to the country’s authorities that he had already visited Annaba twice, in 2004 and 2013, “as a spiritual son of Saint Augustine." 

“I am grateful for the mysterious plan of divine providence that has arranged for me to return here again as Successor of Peter,” he said.

On the flight on the way to Algiers from Rome earlier on Monday morning, the Pope also highlighted how St. Augustine “represents a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue” and that “he is deeply loved in his homeland.”

“Having the opportunity to visit the places associated with the life of St. Augustine, where he was Bishop in the city of Hippo, now known as Annaba, is truly a blessing for me personally,” he had said.

“I believe it is also a blessing for the Church and for the world, because we must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation.”

Upcoming appointments

Pope Leo XIV’s next stop is a visit to a care home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Then he holds a private meeting with members of the Augustinian Order at their Community House, before presiding over Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine.

At the end of the day, the Pope takes a flight back to the Algerian capital, Algiers.

The following day, Wednesday, April 15, he will travel to Cameroon for the second leg of his Apostolic Journey, which will also take him to Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

Day 2 in Algeria with Pope Leo XIV as he visits St. Augustine's city of Hippo

 

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Pope in Algeria: ‘God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, lies’

Pope Leo XIV visits a care home for the elderly in Annaba, Algeria, and recalls that God’s heart remains with those who are humble and seek peace in their daily lives.

By Devin Watkins

On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV flew to Annaba—the site of the ancient city of Hippo, where St. Augustine served as Bishop.

After visiting the archaeological site, the Pope spent a few minutes with several elderly people residing at the Ma Maison Care Home for the Elderly, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

In his brief address, he told residents that “God dwells here,” noting that “wherever there is love and service, God is there.”

Pope Leo especially thanked Salah Bouchemel for his words of greeting, in which the elderly Algerian Muslim resident of the facility upheld the respect for one another and their religion he has enjoyed at the care home.

Several elderly residents of the care home wave Vatican and Algerian flags (@Vatican Media)

In response, the Pope said God would surely recognize the hope that lives in a place where people strive to live together in fraternity.

“God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, and lies,” he said. “But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud.”

Rather, said Pope Leo, God dwells with those who build up His Kingdom in service.

“God’s heart is with the little ones and the humble,” he said, “and with them He builds up His Kingdom of love and peace day by day, just as you are striving to do here in your daily service, friendship, and life together.”

Pope Leo was also greeted by Archbishop Paul Desfarges, SJ, who served as Bishop of Constantine-Hippone between 2008 and 2021 and who now resides with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Archbishop said the sisters and the care home’s staff perform daily miracles with their care and attention, in actions as simple as a warm handshake that brings people closer together.

Pope Leo shakes hands with Archbishop Desfarges, SJ (@Vatican Media)

The Pope thanked Archbishop Desfarges for his welcome and praised his witness in living side-by-side with the elderly residents.

He recalled Jesus’ words (Lk 10:21) that the Father has hidden His secrets from the wise and intelligent but revealed them to little children.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by thanking the sisters and residents for their witness and presenting them with a mosaic of the Risen Christ as a gift.

Created by the late Albanian mosaicist Josif Droboniku, the mosaic fits in the ancient Byzantine tradition and exhorts everyone in Greek to “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

According to a note accompanying the mosaic, the work of art offers an invitation “to let oneself be illumined by the Risen Christ’s presence and to carry, through charity and service, the reflection of His mercy wherever the human heart awaits consolation and hope.”

Pope Leo XIV meets the Algerian Catholic community at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa

 

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Pope to Algerian community: Prayer, charity, unity are essential to Christian presence

Pope Leo XIV encourages the Christian community in Algeria to remain rooted in “prayer, charity and unity,” praising their quiet witness and urging them to be a sign of peace and fraternity.

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV met with members of the community in Algeria on Monday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, the last event of his first day in the country.  

Greeting those gathered, the Pope expressed "profound joy and fatherly affection" at being with a community whose presence he described as "discreet and precious," marked by "an ancient heritage and by luminous witnesses of the faith."

He recalled in particular the nineteen religious men and women killed in Algeria in the 1990s, noting that they chose "to stand alongside this people in its joys and sorrows."

Their witness, he said, remains alive today and "their blood is a living seed that never ceases to bear fruit."

The Holy Father pointed to the deeper historical roots of Christianity in the region, recalling that in this land "resounded the fervent voice of Augustine of Hippo," together with the example of St. Monica and other saints.

'We all need to pray'

Reflecting on the life of the Church in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV focused first on prayer, describing it as essential. "We all need to pray," he said, recalling the words of Pope St. John Paul II that "man cannot live without prayer, any more than he can live without breathing."

He referred to the experience shared by a member of the local community, noting that many come to the Basilica seeking silence, to "express their concerns, to pray for their loved ones," and to find someone willing to listen.

"Prayer unites, humanizes, strengthens, and purifies the heart," the Pope said, adding that through prayer "the Church in Algeria sows' humanity, unity, strength and purity, reaching places known only to the Lord."

Charity beyond material assistance

Turning to charity, the Pope highlighted the work of those serving vulnerable people, especially children with disabilities and their families. He stressed that such service goes beyond meeting material needs.

"Mercy and service are about more than just providing material help," he said. Rather, they become "an opportunity for grace, enabling everyone involved to grow and be enriched."

He noted how simple acts, such as visiting the sick, can develop into broader forms of support and community life. In this context, he again pointed to the witness of the martyrs, who remained faithful “in the face of hatred and violence.”

Recalling the words of Brother Luc of Tibhirine, who chose not to leave despite the risks, the Pope said his response was simple: "I want to stay with them."

Pope Leo meets with the Community in Algeria (@Vatican Media)

'Peace be with you'

The Pope went on to speak of unity and peace, recalling that the motto of his visit is drawn from the Gospel: "Peace be with you!"

He also quoted an early Christian inscription from Tipasa that says, "In God, may peace and harmony reign in our life together." From the earliest days of the Church, he noted, peace and concord have been central to Christian community life.

Describing the Basilica as a sign of this calling, Pope Leo XIV said it represents "a Church of living stones, where communion between Christians and Muslims takes shape under the mantle of Our Lady of Africa."

He highlighted that faith should foster openness and fraternity: "Faith does not isolate but opens us up; it unites us but does not create confusion; it brings us closer, without homogenizing."

In a world marked by division and conflict, he said, the experience of coexistence in Algeria offers a meaningful witness of unity and peace, calling it "a compelling sign."

'In the desert, no one can survive alone'

Bringing his address to a close, the Pope turned to an image drawn from the country’s landscape, noting that much of Algeria is desert.

"In the desert, no one can survive alone," he said, adding that such an environment reminds people of their need for one another and for God.

"When we acknowledge our fragility, our hearts become open to supporting one another," he said, as well as to seeking "the profound reconciliation of hearts and, with it, true peace."

Encouraging the faithful to continue their mission, Pope Leo XIV called them to remain "a cohesive and open community of faith" and thanked them for their witness.

"I assure you of a remembrance in my own prayers", he said, entrusting them to Mary, Our Lady of Africa, before imparting his blessing.

Pope Leo XIV meets with the civil authorities of Algeria

 

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Pope in Algeria: Deserts and seas must be oases of peace, mutual enrichment

Meeting with the civil authorities of Algeria, Pope Leo XIV calls for societies to foster oases of peace in which human life and dignity are recognized as inviolable and never exploited.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV met with authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps in Algiers on the first day of his three-day Apostolic Journey to Algeria.

After meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the presidential palace, the Pope addressed around 1,400 civil authorities at the Djamaa el Djazair Conference Center.

He thanked the President for the invitation to visit Algeria in the first year of his Petrine Ministry, recalling that he has visited Annaba—ancient Hippo—in 2001 and 2013, “as a spiritual son of St. Augustine.”

Pope Leo said he comes as a “pilgrim of peace” and noted that “we are brothers and sisters, for we have the same Father in heaven.”

He praised the Algerian people for their culture of encounter and reconciliation, as well as for their spirit of solidarity, hospitality, and community.

The Pope pointed to the great generosity shown by the Algerian people in their practice of almsgiving, which stems from a sense of justice regarding wealth.

“This view of justice is both simple and radical for it recognizes the image of God in others,” he said. “Indeed, a religion without mercy and a society without solidarity are a scandal in God’s eyes.”

Pope Leo XIV invited the civil leaders of Algeria to embrace dialogue and solidarity, so as to bring greater justice to our world.

“By respecting the dignity of everyone and allowing yourselves to be moved by the pain of others, instead of multiplying misunderstandings and conflicts, you can surely become protagonists of a new chapter in history,” he said.

The Pope recalled the words of his predecessors—Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis—on the importance of directing the process of globalization through “a model of social, political, and economic participation,” so that all people and nations may benefit from growth in the global economy.

“I therefore urge those of you who hold positions of authority in this country not to fear this outlook but to promote a vibrant, dynamic and free civil society, in which young people in particular are recognized as capable of helping to broaden the horizon of hope for all,” he said.

Pope Leo said a nation’s true strength lies in its ability to foster cooperation among citizens without authorities dominating but rather serving all people and promoting their development.

He pledged the efforts of the Catholic Church to contribute to the common good of Algeria and strengthen the country’s identity as a bridge between nations of all hemispheres.

The Pope pointed to Algeria’s location bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert, saying these geographical aspects represent a spiritual crossroads filled with “immense treasures of humanity.”

“For the sea and the desert have been places of mutual enrichment among peoples and cultures for millennia,” he said. “Woe to us if we turn them into graveyards where hope also dies!”

Deserts and seas contain majestic beauty, he added, saying their boundless expanse can help people reflect on transcendence.

“Let us free these tremendous reservoirs of history and of the future from evil!” he said. “Let us multiply oases of peace; let us denounce and remove the causes of despair; and let us oppose those who profit from the misfortune of others!”

Pope Leo urged Algeria’s civil leaders to unite spiritual energy, intelligence, and resources to make the land and the sea places of life, encounter, and wonder.

Algerian society, noted the Pope, has seen fundamentalism and secularization manifest themselves, leading to tension between religious sensibility and modern life.

“Religious symbols and words can become, on the one hand, blasphemous languages of violence and oppression, or on the other, empty signs in the immense marketplace of consumption that does not satisfy us,” he said.

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the civil authorities of Algeria not to let “absurd polarizations” dishearten them but to confront them with intelligence.

Polarization, he said, is “a sign that we are living in an extraordinary time of great renewal, in which those who keep their hearts free, and their consciences alert, can draw from the great spiritual and religious traditions new ways of seeing the world and an unshakable purpose in life.”

Pope Leo XIV at his 1st stop in Algeria

 

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Pope in Algeria: ‘Future belongs to men and women of peace’

In his first address in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV reiterates that God wants peace for all nations—a peace that is “an expression of justice and dignity"—and encourages the Algerian people to continue to keep God as a central place in their heritage.

By Kielce Gussie

At his first public event in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV visited the Martyrs’ Monument, “Maqam Echahid," which commemorates those who lost their lives in the Algerian War for Independence in 1954-1962.

The monument commemorates those who lost their lives during the Algerian war of independence (@Vatican Media)

After placing a wreath at the monument, the Pope’s first words were ones of thanksgiving for the opportunity to visit Algeria once again, “after having already done so twice as a spiritual son of Saint Augustine.”

The Pope stressed that he stands with them “first and foremost as a brother who is delighted to be able to renew, through this meeting, the bonds of affection that bring our hearts closer together.”

He explained he was seeing the face of “a strong and young people” as he looked out at the 2,000 people in the square in front of the monument. At the heart of the Algerian people are friendship, trust, and solidarity, which for them “are not merely words, but values that matter and give warmth and strength to your life together.”

True freedom comes with forgiveness

Looking back at the long history of the country, Pope Leo described it as rich in traditions but also painful, marked by periods of violence. “Precisely thanks to the nobility of spirit that characterizes you,” he said, “you have been able to overcome these trials with courage and integrity.”

The Pope described the history of Algeria as rich in traditions yet painful. But their nobility of spirit helped them overcome.   (@Vatican Media)

The visit to the monument is a moment to pay tribute to the history of Algeria and the spirit of those who fought for independence, dignity, and sovereignty. With that in mind, the Pope encouraged everyone to “remember that God desires peace for every nation," not simply a peace that is void of conflict but one that is “an expression of justice and dignity.”

This type of peace comes only through forgiveness, which he argued enables everyone to “face the future with a reconciled spirit.” The true fight for liberation will be won definitively “only when peace in our hearts has finally been achieved.”

The Holy Father acknowledged how difficult forgiveness can be. Yet, with ever-growing conflicts around the world, he stressed, "we cannot add resentment upon resentment, generation after generation.”

“The future belongs to men and women of peace,” he urged. "In the end, justice will always win over injustice, and violence will not have the last word."

A land of cultural and religious intersections

In a country where there are different cultures and religions and ways of life, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of mutual respect. He expressed his hope that Algeria will continue to add to the stability and dialogue on the international stage.

Algeria, like every other nation, has a history, culture, and faith all its own. “Faith in God has a central place in your heritage," the Pope noted, which “illuminates the life of each person, sustains families, and inspires a sense of fraternity.”

A country that has a love for God is truly wealthy, and this, Pope Leo pointed out, is something the Algerian people see as one of their treasures.

About 2,000 people sat in front of the monument to listen to Pope Leo's message (@Vatican Media)

“Our world needs believers like this—men and women of faith who thirst for justice and unity,” he said. This is why in light of humanity searching for fraternity and reconciliation, “it is a great gift and a sacred duty for us to declare with conviction that we are always united as brothers and sisters, children of the one God.”

The Pope posed the “crucial question for everyone” that Jesus posed 2,000 years ago: “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Mt 16:26).

Pope Leo stressed that the people being honored at the monument “have already given their answer. They lost their lives but in doing so, they gave them up for the love of their own people.”

May their example help sustain the people of Algeria and everyone on their journey, he said, because “true freedom is not merely inherited; it is chosen anew every day.” He closed by repeating the words of the Sermon on the Mount, that is, the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3-10).”