Pope Leo XIV has sued for harmony, forgiveness, reconciliation and inter-religious dialogue for world peace during his first historic apostolic pilgrimage to the People’s Republic of Algeria, where thousands of the faithful gathered in Algiers on 13 April 2026.
Algeria is the hometown of the Fourth Century Church Father, St. Augustine, and Bishop of Hippo and founder of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA).
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco receives Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa. Credit: Shallom World News.
Also during the visit, the Pontiff visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa and honoured the Blessed Virgin Mary by placing a rose at her feet as a sign of devotion.
He also paid tribute to the 19 Martyrs of Algeria during the historic visit, recalling their powerful witness of faith and sacrifice.
“Dear Algerian brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Assalai malaikum. I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to visit your country as a successor of the Apostle Peter after already having done so twice as a spiritual son of St. Augustine,” he stated.
While noting the fraternal affinity with the people, he said “I stand before you, 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.”
The Holy Father commended the hospitality of the Algerians, “Looking at all of you, I see the face of a strong and young people, whose hospitality and fraternity I have experienced frequently. In the Algerian hearts, friendship, trust and solidarity are not merely words, but values that matter and give warmth and strength to your life together.”
He recalled the historical antecedents and growth North African Islamic country, “Algeria is a great country with a land history and tradition dating back to time of St. Augustine and well before.
He noted the pain which the country had passed through, “It is also a painful history, marked by periods of violence, yet precisely thanks to the nobility of spirit that characterises you, which I sense is alive even here and now you been able to overcome this trial with courage and integrity.”
The member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) also paid tribute to the fallen heroes who paid the price for the independence of Algeria.
“Our presence here at this moment pays tribute to this history of Algeria and to the very spirit to a people who fought for the independence, dignity and sovereignty of this nation.”
He stated the necessity of peace and called for peace in the world, “In this place, let us remember that God desires peace for every nation, a peace that is not merely an absence of conflict but one that is an expression of justice and dignity.
Leo XIV encouraged people to have a place for forgiveness and reconciliation to achieve peace in the world.
“This peace which allows us to face the future with a reconciled spirit is possible only to forgiveness. The true struggle for liberation will be definitely won only when peace in our hearts is finally being achieved. I know how difficult it is to forgive. However if conflict continues to multiply throughout the world, we cannot help resentment upon resentment after generation.”
Looking to the future with hope, the Pope said, “The future belongs to men and women of peace. In the end, justice will always triumph over injustice, just as violence despite all appearances will never help the last word. In this land, where cultures and religions intersect, mutual respect is the path that enables everyone to work together.
He challenged the Algerians to stand out for peace and engage in dialogue with the international community, “May Algeria, firm in its roots and steadfast in the hope of its young men and women, continue to contribute to stability and dialogue within the international community and along the shores of the Mediterranean.”
He acknowledged the diversities of cultures and religions in the world, noting that “Every people possesses a unique patrimony of history, culture and faith. Algeria too is blessed with its richness, which has sustained it through difficult times and continues to guide it into the future.
The successor of Peter encouraged the Algerians to hold firm their heritage in faith, “Faith and God is a central place in your heritage, indeed faith illuminates the life of each person, sustains families, and inspires a sense of fraternity.”
He expressed hope that faith in God can better the world, “A nation that loves God possesses true wealth. And the Algerian people cherish this jewel as one of their treasures. Our world needs believers like this.
“Men and women of faith who thirst for justice and unity for this reason in the face of a humanity yearning 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.”
Pope Leo is the first ever leader of the church to visit the Muslim country at Algeria, the Vatican said he wants to build bridges between the two faiths.
His visit to Algeria is enthused with personal significance for the Pope as the home of the founder of his Augustinian order.
On his part, the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune commended the stance of the Pope on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and described it as courageous and principled.
He noted that Algeria’s position aligns with the Vatican’s calls for security and stability in the Gulf and Lebanon, as well as the efforts to alleviate human suffering.
The president described Pope Leo as a champion of social justice and peace, particularly at a time when multiple regions, especially the Middle East, are experiencing escalating conflicts.
Christians are a minority in Algeria, representing 1 percent of the population, including fewer than 20,000 Catholics comprising mostly expatriates from sub-Saharan Africa, who struggle to evangelise in a nation where any attempt to convert is unlawful.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Shallom World News.
