Trending 
Pope Leo XIV will visit Algeria on Monday, becoming the first pontiff to travel to the North African country, in a trip focused on promoting dialogue between Christianity and Islam.
The visit marks the opening leg of an 11-day tour across four African nations, including Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering about 18,000 kilometres between April 13 and 23.
Algeria, where Islam is the state religion and the vast majority of the population is Muslim, has never hosted a pope, making the trip particularly significant for the country’s small Catholic community.
The visit also carries personal meaning for Leo, as Algeria was once home to Saint Augustine, the influential Christian theologian whose teachings continue to shape his papacy.
The Vatican said the trip is aimed at engaging the Islamic world while addressing broader questions of coexistence in multi-religious societies.
Although Algeria’s constitution provides for freedom of worship, rights groups have raised concerns about ongoing restrictions on religious minorities, urging the pope to address the issue during his visit.
The trip has been hailed in the local press for its “symbolic and historical significance,” extending far beyond Algeria’s 9,000 Catholics.
During his stay in Algiers, the pope is expected to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and address government officials and members of the diplomatic community.
He will also visit the Great Mosque of Algiers and meet with members of the Catholic community, as well as hold a private prayer in honour of clergy killed during the country’s civil war.
However, no large public appearances are scheduled in the capital.
On Tuesday, Leo will travel to Annaba, where he is expected to hold a mass at a site linked to Saint Augustine, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the visit.
Church officials in the region described the trip as a moment of encouragement for local Christians and an opportunity to showcase peaceful coexistence in Algeria.
