Pope Leo XIV makes the first papal visit to Algeria
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Pope Leo XIV visited Algeria from 13 to 15 April, the first visit by a pope to the country. He went to Algiers and to Annaba, the ancient Hippo, where Saint Augustine was bishop.
Visit programme
Algeria was the first stop of an Africa tour that also included Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. On 13 April in Algiers the pope laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Memorial, met the authorities, gave a message of fraternity between faiths, and met the Christian community at the basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique.
On 14 April in Annaba he visited the ruins of Hippo despite bad weather, planted an olive tree and celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine. The basilica was restored between 2010 and 2013, with more than half of the money raised in Algeria.
Augustine and departure
The pope, who calls himself a son of Saint Augustine, had visited Algeria twice before his election. Augustine was born in Thagaste, today's Souk Ahras, and was Bishop of Hippo from 395 to 430.
The pope left Algiers for Yaoundé on 15 April, and Algérie Poste issued a stamp to mark the visit.
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