Pope Leo XIV arrives in Algeria, visits Great Mosque of Algiers
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday to begin an 11-day tour of Africa – the longest trip so far of his papacy – which began less than a
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday to begin an 11-day tour of Africa – the longest trip so far of his papacy – which began less than a year ago.
The head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is due to visit Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea after his stop in Algeria.
In a meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, both sides underscored their willingness to strengthen cooperation between Algeria and the Vatican.
Tebboune described the papal visit as “historic,” according to reports from the state news agency.
The president highlighted dialogue, peace, and tolerance as shared values and pointed to Algeria’s commitment to social justice.
Referring to international conflicts, particularly in the region, he called for an end to violence, greater humanitarian support for civilians, and recognition of a Palestinian state, stressing the importance of peace and cooperation in addressing global crises.
Leo also visited the Great Mosque in the capital, Algiers. According to EWTN Vatican, upon entering the mosque, which is home to the world’s highest minaret, the Pope removed his shoes as a gesture of respect.
No pope has previously visited Algeria, a predominantly Muslim country of nearly 47 million people, of whom only about 9,000 are Catholic.
At the mosque, Pope Leo reportedly highlighted the site’s spiritual significance and paused in silent meditation.
Read Also: Pope Leo: ‘I am not afraid of the Trump administration’
“Welcomed by the Rector of the Mosque, Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim, who offered words of fraternity, the Pope said.
‘I thank you for these reflections and for these important words during this visit, from a place that represents the space that belongs to God, a divine and sacred space, where many people come to pray and to seek the presence of the Most High in their lives,'” Vatican News noted.
He reportedly recalled his personal link to the country through Augustine of Hippo, describing Algeria as “the land of my spiritual father,” and highlighted themes central to his address: the search for truth, the recognition of the dignity of every human being, and the shared responsibility to build peace.
“To seek God,” he said, “also means recognising the image of God in every man and woman,” and he said that such recognition calls for mutual respect and coexistence.
From Algeria, the pope will continue to Cameroon from Wednesday to Saturday, followed by Angola until April 21 and Equatorial Guinea until April 23.
(dpa/NAN)
