Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for a pilgrimage retracing the steps of St. Augustine, the fifth-century theologian and his spiritual father. The visit to Annaba, ancient Hippo, marks the first papal trip to Algeria, set against the backdrop of the US-Israel war in Iran and the Pope's peace calls that have strained relations with President Donald Trump.
Leo, who proclaimed himself a 'son of St. Augustine' on his election night, has frequently cited Augustine in his first year. The Pope focuses on Augustine as a bridge-builder, especially for Christian-Muslim coexistence. Augustine, born in 354 in Thagaste (modern Souk Ahras), spent most of his life in North Africa, writing seminal works like 'Confessions' and 'The City of God'.
Leo’s Augustinian religious order, founded in 13th-century Italy, was inspired by the saint. In Algeria, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed 'immense pride' over Augustine, calling him 'a cherished son of this land'. The Pope described the journey as 'very special' and originally intended as his first pontifical trip.
While in Annaba, Leo will visit the archaeological ruins of Hippo, including the basilica where Augustine preached, and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine. The visit underscores Augustine's North African origins, often overlooked in Western narratives.
