Wow Pope Leo XIV Plants an Olive Tree for Peace at the Site where St. Augustine was Bishop in Algeria - VIDEO
At 8:45 a.m. local time, Pope Leo XIV traveled by car to Algiers' Houari Boumédiène International Airport. At 9:38 a.m. local time, the Holy Father departed on an Air Algérie A220 for Annaba, Algeria.
Having landed at Annaba Rabah Bitat International Airport at 10:32 a.m., he was welcomed by some local authorities, then transferred by car to the archaeological site of Hippo.
Visit to the archaeological site of Hippo where St. Augustine was bishop:
After converting to Christianity, Saint Augustine, in 391, was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius (now Annaba), in Algeria. He preached around 6,000 to 10,000 sermons when he was alive; however, there are only around 500 sermons that are accessible today. In 395, he was made coadjutor Bishop of Hippo and became full Bishop shortly thereafter, hence the name "Augustine of Hippo." He remained in that position until his death in 430.
At 11:00 am Pope Leo XIV reached the archaeological site of Hippo, where he was welcomed at the entrance by a representative.
Greeted at the entrance to the excavations by a site official, Pope Leo XIV gazes, visibly moved, at the ruins of Hippo Regius, inhabited until the 5th century by fishermen, sailors, soldiers, merchants, artisans, officials, and farmers, as well as wealthy families, shipowners, and businessmen. Bad weather forces a shorter ceremony, during which the Pope, under a gazebo, with the help of two young boy scouts, lays a wreath of white and yellow roses and then plants an olive tree, a symbol of peace and reminiscent of the centuries-old olive tree in his hometown, which tradition holds dates back to his time. Leo XIV remains for a few moments absorbed in prayer, his hands clasped. Meanwhile, white doves are released into the leaden, rain-filled sky, while the choir of the Annaba Institute of Music sings songs in Latin, Berber, and Algerian, with texts by the Bishop of Hippo on peace and brotherhood. A group of young people dressed in traditional attire, approached by the Pope to listen to the performance of the final piece. The Pope applauds them at the end and thanks them, then, still in the incessant rain, heads toward the site's exit to continue this second day of travel in the footsteps of Saint Augustine.
At the end, at around 12:50 pm, the Pope transferred by car to the Home for the Elderly of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
After converting to Christianity, Saint Augustine, in 391, was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius (now Annaba), in Algeria. He preached around 6,000 to 10,000 sermons when he was alive; however, there are only around 500 sermons that are accessible today. In 395, he was made coadjutor Bishop of Hippo and became full Bishop shortly thereafter, hence the name "Augustine of Hippo." He remained in that position until his death in 430.
At 11:00 am Pope Leo XIV reached the archaeological site of Hippo, where he was welcomed at the entrance by a representative.
Greeted at the entrance to the excavations by a site official, Pope Leo XIV gazes, visibly moved, at the ruins of Hippo Regius, inhabited until the 5th century by fishermen, sailors, soldiers, merchants, artisans, officials, and farmers, as well as wealthy families, shipowners, and businessmen. Bad weather forces a shorter ceremony, during which the Pope, under a gazebo, with the help of two young boy scouts, lays a wreath of white and yellow roses and then plants an olive tree, a symbol of peace and reminiscent of the centuries-old olive tree in his hometown, which tradition holds dates back to his time. Leo XIV remains for a few moments absorbed in prayer, his hands clasped. Meanwhile, white doves are released into the leaden, rain-filled sky, while the choir of the Annaba Institute of Music sings songs in Latin, Berber, and Algerian, with texts by the Bishop of Hippo on peace and brotherhood. A group of young people dressed in traditional attire, approached by the Pope to listen to the performance of the final piece. The Pope applauds them at the end and thanks them, then, still in the incessant rain, heads toward the site's exit to continue this second day of travel in the footsteps of Saint Augustine.
At the end, at around 12:50 pm, the Pope transferred by car to the Home for the Elderly of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Sources: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/04/14/0287/00609.html
https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2026-04/papa-scavi-ippona-preghiera-sant-agostino-pace-fratellanza.html
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