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Pope Leo XIV has announced an official visit to Algeria in April, making him the first pope to visit the Muslim-majority North African country.
The news was met with immense joy by the Archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vesco, who described the upcoming trip as a “dream come true.”
The visit is being hailed by both local media and the Algerian presidency as a deeply symbolic gesture that bridges the country’s ancient Christian heritage with its modern Islamic identity.
The 70-year-old Pope, who was elected in May 2025, has a personal connection to the region as a member of the Augustinian order.
His journey, scheduled for April 13 to 15, is designed to honour Saint Augustine, a foundational figure in Western Christianity who was born in what is now modern-day Algeria.
The itinerary includes stops in the capital city of Algiers as well as Annaba, the site of the famed Basilica of Saint Augustine, where the saint once served as bishop in the fifth century.
Beyond its historical and spiritual ties, the trip is a strategic effort to foster interfaith harmony.
Pope Leo XIV stated that the visit is an opportunity to continue a global “discourse of dialogue” and to build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.
This sentiment was echoed by the Algerian government, which noted that the visit reflects a mutual commitment to peace and justice in the face of modern global challenges.
Algeria serves as the starting point for a broader African tour for the pontiff.
Following his stay in the North African nation, the Pope is scheduled to travel southward to visit Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
This continental tour highlights the Vatican’s increasing focus on African relations and the role of the papacy in navigating complex religious and cultural landscapes across the region.
