Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday for the first-ever visit by a sitting pontiff to the nation. He traveled to the port city of Annaba to honor St. Augustine, the fifth-century theologian and former bishop of the region who serves as the Pope’s spiritual forefather.
Annaba welcomed the first sitting pontiff in Algerian history
The Pope visited the ruins of Hippo on Tuesday, arriving during a rainstorm. He prayed in a tent overlooking the ancient market, theater, and basilica where Augustine once preached, while sharpshooters guarded the colonnades and flagstones.
During the pilgrimage, Leo planted an olive tree and watched the release of white doves. He’s visited the site twice before while serving as the superior of the Augustinian order, but this trip marks his first return since his election to the papacy on May 8 of last year.
The visit wasn’t limited to ancient ruins. The pontiff also stopped at a nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Annaba, where he spoke about the devastation of violence.
Why the pontiff’s Augustinian roots matter to Algerians
Father Fred Wekesa, rector of the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, said the local community is overjoyed by the visit. He noted that the excitement extends beyond the Christian minority to include the wider Algerian population.
“It is Augustine,” Wekesa said, explaining that the saint is part of the genealogy of Algerians because he was born, served as bishop, and died in the region. This shared history created a wave of congratulations from Muslims when Leo, a “son of Augustine,” was elected Pope.
Wekesa views the event as a national milestone rather than a sectarian one. While the government invited the pontiff in his official capacity as Pope, the local clergy welcomes him as a “confrère,” emphasizing that once a person is Augustinian, they remain so forever.
The rector believes the Pope’s approach to peace mirrors the teachings of St. Augustine. He framed the visit as a tool for interreligious dialogue and a means to advance a message of peace through direct action.
Amidst a feud with Donald Trump, the Pope criticized war
A public disagreement with President Donald Trump has cast a shadow over the spiritual nature of the trip. The two leaders are currently locked in an escalating feud over the pontiff’s criticism of the war with Iran.
Leo didn’t mention the U.S. president by name during his Tuesday visit to the Annaba care home, but his words carried a sharp edge. He stated that “God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies,” adding that the divine heart doesn’t align with the “wicked, the arrogant or the proud.”
The tension creates a contrast between the Pope’s personal goals for the trip and the political reality. He described the journey as a “very special trip” while aboard the papal plane, yet his remarks on violence are being interpreted through the lens of his conflict with the White House.
The 11-day African tour includes stops in four nations
Algeria is the first stop in a broader 11-day apostolic journey across Africa. The pontiff is scheduled to visit Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
In Cameroon, the Pope’s arrival has already influenced local conflict. Separatists announced a three-day pause in deadly violence to ensure Leo has safe passage to a “peace meeting” scheduled for Thursday.
The itinerary reflects a consistent theme of conflict resolution. From the ruins of Hippo to the volatile regions of Cameroon, the pontiff is attempting to apply the Augustinian principle that war is only justified when it protects the innocent.
How is the Pope connected to St. Augustine?
Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of St. Augustine, which was founded on the teachings of the fifth-century saint. He has referred to himself as a “son of St. Augustine” and served as the superior of the Augustinian order before becoming pope.
What is the Pope’s itinerary after Algeria?
Following his visit to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV is flying to Cameroon for a peace meeting, after which he will travel to Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
