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Pope Leo XIV Begins Historic Trip to Algeria
· Confirmed
In Short: Speaking to journalists on the flight to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV revealed that his trip to Africa was meant to be the first trip of his pontificate.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on April 13, 2026, marking the first papal visit to the North African nation. The historic trip is part of a 11-day, four-country tour of Africa.
The pope was greeted by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as an honor guard stood at attention and a young girl presented the pope with flowers.
Speaking to journalists on the flight to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV revealed that his trip to Africa was meant to be the first trip of his pontificate.
The pope’s visit to Algeria marks a significant milestone in a country that is 99% Sunni Muslim and home to fewer than 9,000 Catholics among a population of more than 45 million people.
Bishop Michel Guillaud of Constantine-Hippone told OSV News that the visit sends a clear message that Christianity “is an asset and not a danger” to Algerian society.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of building bridges for peace and reconciliation, stating, “We must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation.”
The pope’s itinerary in Algeria is centered on the country’s northern Mediterranean coast, with stops in Algiers and Annaba.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Algeria carries particular significance for him, who described himself as a “son of Augustine” on the day of his election on May 8, 2025.
The pope expressed hope that the visit will be a blessing for the Church and the world, calling the trip “very special for several reasons.”
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Algeria is part of a broader tour of Africa, which includes stops in other countries.
The pope’s previous visits to Algeria in 2003 and 2014 as prior general of the Augustinian order set the stage for this historic papal visit.
The Algerian bishops welcomed the pope as an apostle of peace, emphasizing the Church’s mission of “fraternal presence” in a predominantly Muslim society.
Background
Pope Leo XIV will visit five parishes in Rome during Lent, highlighting the papacy's role in shepherding and charity.
Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Yemen and Gaza, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with God.
What's confirmed
- According to the announcement, the pope will begin his journey by departing Rome on Nov. 6 at 7:50 a.m.
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What's still developing
- The pope first visited Algeria in 2003 when he was serving as prior general of the Augustinian order and returned again in 2014.
- Algerian bishops said the pope comes “as an apostle of peace,” seeking to strengthen a Church whose mission is one of “fraternal presence” in a predominantly Muslim society.
- “Already last year, in May, I said, ‘On my first trip, I would like to travel to Africa,'” Pope Leo said on the papal plane, a chartered ITA Airways flight.
- Pope Leo XIV will visit five Catholic parishes of Rome in February and March, in continuity with his predecessors, the Diocese of Rome announced Friday.
- The Vicariate of Rome announced the program on Wednesday, October 28.
- Pope Leo's trip to South America next month will go ahead as planned, the Vatican said Monday, confirming the papal visit nearly two weeks after the pontiff's lung-cancer surgery.
- Later in the day, Pope Leo will visit the headquarters of UNESCO, where he is expected to address issues including artificial intelligence.
- Pope Leo XIV visits the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Marian shrine and pilgrimage site dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sept.
- On that same day in November, the pope will conclude his activities in Peru and begin his return journey to Rome, arriving the following day.
- Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Latin America will be marked by at least five “God-incidences,” as people call the coincidences arranged by Divine Providence.
- In an Oct. 23 message published by the Vatican press office, the pope’s medical team, Drs.
- Pope Leo XIV is visiting three cities in France from Sept. 25–28, making stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz to meet with young people, government officials, the sick, and migrants, among others.