Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for the first papal visit to the country, marking the start of an 11-day African tour that underscores the continent’s increasing importance to the Catholic Church. The pontiff was welcomed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Algiers international airport on Monday, before visiting the Maqam Echahid monument commemorating those who died in Algeria’s war of independence against French colonial rule.
The trip, which will also include stops in Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, is the longest by Pope Leo since his election in May last year. Academics say the choice of Africa signals that the continent is a top priority for the Church, reflecting shifting demographics. Africa is home to one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations, accounting for about 20% of Catholics worldwide, while numbers in western Europe decline.
Father Peter Claver Kogh, rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, described the visit as a chance to strengthen bonds between Christian and Muslim communities and promote peace and tolerance. Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Pope Francis, noted continuity with his predecessor’s emphasis on interfaith dialogue, particularly the 2019 ‘human fraternity’ document signed with leading Muslim figures.
The visit also highlights concerns over religious freedom. John Pontifex of the charity Aid to the Church in Need UK said that religious freedom in Algeria has declined in recent years for Christians, Ahmadi Muslims and more liberal Muslims. Lucy Esipila, regional coordinator for Caritas Africa, said the journey is a powerful expression of ‘walking together’ as a global church, especially for African nations facing conflict, debt and inequality.
Algeria holds special significance for Pope Leo as the birthplace of Saint Augustine; Leo is the first pontiff from the Augustinian order. Professor Anna Rowlands of Durham University noted that starting in Algeria shows the ancient legacy of African Christianity, which predates Islam and remains central to the Church’s intellectual heritage. As former head of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo has frequently travelled to African communities.
