Pope Leo XIV Makes Historic First Papal Visit to Algeria, Calling for Global Peace and Solidarity
In a landmark diplomatic and spiritual move, Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff to visit Algeria, marking the beginning of a significant 10-day Apostolic Journey across the African continent. The visit, which runs from April 13 to April 23, 2026, includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
The Pope’s arrival in Algiers was met with an enthusiastic welcome from the local population, who waited in heavy rain to greet the Holy Father, signaling a strong desire for unity and encounter. This journey represents the longest Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV’s ministry to date.
During his first day in the capital, Pope Leo XIV met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the presidential palace before addressing approximately 1,400 civil authorities at the Djamaa el Djazair Conference Center. In a poignant address, the Pope called for a renewed commitment to peace, asserting that “deserts and seas must be oases of peace, mutual enrichment.” He urged societies to recognize human dignity as inviolable, stating, “a religion without mercy and a society without solidarity are a scandal in God’s eyes.”
The Pope’s message emphasized that no individual can exist in total isolation from others, calling on civil leaders to embrace dialogue to foster a more just world. He praised the Algerian people for their hospitality and their radical sense of justice reflected in the practice of almsgiving.
A central component of the visit was the Pope’s stop at the Grand Mosque of Algiers. Welcomed by Rector Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim, Pope Leo XIV described the mosque as a sacred space for prayer and the search for God. He highlighted the necessity of recognizing the image of God in every person as a prerequisite for coexistence and mutual respect. The Pope was accompanied during this visit by Cardinals Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, and George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
The visit to Algeria holds deep personal significance for the Pontiff. Before his papacy, as Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, he—then known as Fr. Robert Prevost—visited the country in 2001 and 2013. He described Algeria as “the land of my spiritual father,” referring to St. Augustine, who served as Bishop of Hippo (modern-day Annaba) from 395 until 430 AD. Pope Leo XIV previously visited Annaba in 2004 and 2013.
As part of his three-day itinerary in Algeria, the Holy Father is scheduled to preside over Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba. His schedule too includes a visit to a home for the elderly managed by the Little Sisters of the Poor and a visit to a monument commemorating the Algerian War (1954-1962). The overarching themes of the journey include migration, the environment, youth, and the family.
This historic visit underscores the Vatican’s strategic focus on interfaith dialogue and diplomacy within North Africa, potentially opening new channels for cooperation between the Holy See and Muslim-majority nations in the region.
