Pope Leo XIV says in Algeria We've had an Opportunity to Build Bridges, Promote Dialogue - Despite Our Differences "we can live in peace" on the Papal Plane to Cameroon
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Pope Leo XIV: Algeria Visit a "Special Blessing" for Global Dialogue
En route to Cameroon on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV shared his reflections with the press corps regarding his Apostolic Journey to Algeria. He characterized the visit not just as a diplomatic success, but as a deeply personal "special blessing" aimed at fostering unity between different faiths. Less than fifteen minutes after the ITA Airways Airbus took off from Algiers to Cameroon, Leo XIV returned to greet the approximately 70 journalists from around the world who were following him on his international trip.
Good morning everyone, I hope you are all rested and ready for this next leg of our trip!
I am happy to greet you all this morning, after what I personally consider to have been a very blessed trip and visit to Algeria. I want to begin by expressing a word of gratitude to all the authorities in Algeria, who made this visit possible. As you see, they have even given us the full honor of an escort as we fly over Algerian airspace. It is a sign of the goodness, generosity and respect that the Algerian people and Algerian government have wished to show the Holy See and to myself. I want to say a word of thanks to them, as well as to the very small but very significant presence of the Catholic Church in Algeria.
We made, as you know, some very special visits, to both the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa and to the Basilica of Saint Augustine, located on the hill overlooking the modern city of Annaba as well as the ruins of the Roman city of Hippo. That in itself, I would say, is symbolically significant because Saint Augustine, who was bishop of Hippo for more than thirty years, is a figure that is very much from the past and speaks to us of tradition and speaks of the life of the Church as it grew in the early centuries. And yet he is still a very important figure today as his writings, teachings, spirituality, invitation to search for God and for the truth is something that is very much needed today; a message that is very real for all of us today, as believers in Jesus Christ, but also for all people.
As you have seen, even the people of Algeria, the vast majority of whom are not Christian, very much honor and respect the memory of Saint Augustine as one of the great sons of their land. It was a special blessing for me, personally, to return once again to Annaba yesterday, but also to offer to the Church and the world the vision that Saint Augustine offers us, in terms of that search for God and the struggle to build community, to seek unity among all peoples and a respect for all peoples in spite of differences.
In these two days in Algeria, I think we have really had a wonderful opportunity to continue building bridges and promoting dialogue. I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, different ways of worshiping, and different ways of living, we can live together in peace. And so I think that to promote this kind of image is something the world needs to hear today, and that together we can continue to offer it through our witness as we continue on this Apostolic Voyage.
Have a wonderful trip. Good to see you all. Thank you for your service once again. Thank you!
A Warm Welcome in Algiers
The Pope expressed profound gratitude to Algerian authorities for their hospitality, specifically noting the military escort provided to the papal plane. To him, this gesture was a powerful symbol of:
Respect: A sign of the Algerian government's esteem for the Holy See.
Generosity: A testament to the warmth of the Algerian people.
Coexistence: Evidence of the country's willingness to engage with the global Catholic community.
The Living Legacy of St. Augustine
While visiting the basilicas in Algiers and Annaba, the Pope highlighted the timeless relevance of St. Augustine. Although he lived in the 5th century, his pursuit of truth resonates today.
Even in a nation where Catholics are a small minority, St. Augustine remains a "great son of the land," serving as a bridge between the historical roots of the region and its modern spiritual landscape.
Building Bridges, Not Walls
The core message of the journey was the possibility of peaceful coexistence. Pope Leo XIV praised the "small but significant" Catholic community in Algeria for their daily witness of living in harmony with their Muslim neighbors. “In two days in Algeria, we've really had a wonderful opportunity to continue to build bridges, to promote dialogue,” he concluded. “I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.”
Key Takeaways from the Visit:
The Mosque Visit: A vital symbolic act proving that different modes of worship do not preclude shared peace.
Unity in Diversity: The Pope emphasized that despite cultural and religious differences, the "struggle to build community" is a universal human calling.
A Vision for the Future: The trip served as a "wonderful opportunity" to continue building dialogue in an increasingly fractured world.
As the papal plane touched down in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Pope left behind a message of hope: that through mutual respect and a shared search for truth, humanity can thrive despite its differences.
Quick Context: Algeria is a predominantly Muslim nation, making the Pope's emphasis on St. Augustine—a North African Berber and one of the most influential Doctors of the Church—a strategic and historical point of connection for interfaith relations.
Immediately after his departure, Pope Leo XIV sent the following telegram to the President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria:His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune
President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Algiers
As I depart from the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, I express my deep gratitude to Your Excellency and to all the beloved Algerian people for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me during my visit. With the assurance of my prayers, I invoke upon the Nation the divine blessings of peace and joy.
Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-04/pope-leo-xiv-reflects-visit-algeria-augustine-dialogue.html and Vatican News IT
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/04/15/0296/00616.html
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