Pope Leo XIV landed in Algiers on Monday, becoming the first pontiff ever to visit Algeria as he launched an ambitious 11-day tour across four African nations. The historic visit to the Muslim-majority country carries deep personal significance for the American-born pope, who follows the Augustinian order inspired by Saint Augustine, the 4th-century theologian born in what is now Algeria.
The papal arrival comes amid escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump, who publicly criticized Leo just hours before his departure from Rome. Trump's rebuke centers on the pope's condemnation of violence against civilians in the Iran conflict, highlighting a growing rift between the Vatican and Washington.
I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo
Donald Trump, US President — The New Arab
Leo's first stop took him to Algeria's Martyrs' Memorial, where he paid tribute to victims of the country's 1954-1962 independence war against France. Speaking at the memorial, he emphasized forgiveness as essential for achieving lasting peace and reconciliation.
The visit reflects Africa's surging importance to global Catholicism. More than 288 million Catholics live on the continent — over one-fifth of the world's total — making it one of the Church's fastest-growing regions. Vatican surveys document a "remarkable increase" in baptized Catholics across Africa, underscoring why Leo has prioritized this extensive tour.
French outlets emphasize the diplomatic and interfaith dimensions of the visit, framing it as a bridge-building exercise between Christianity and Islam. They highlight Algeria's colonial history with France and position the papal visit as occurring during a "delicate moment" in Franco-Algerian relations, suggesting France views this as potentially beneficial for regional stability.