Pope Leo XIV marked a symbolic and spiritual milestone during his first visit to Algeria, retracing the footsteps of St. Augustine as he called for peace amid global tensions.
On the second day of his Africa tour, the pontiff visited the ancient ruins of Hippo in Annaba — where the influential theologian lived and wrote — describing the journey as a personal and spiritual homecoming. The visit comes as Leo continues to advocate for dialogue and reconciliation, even as his peace appeals have drawn sharp responses from U.S. President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict.
Amid tight security, the pope prayed at the historic site, planted an olive tree as a symbol of peace, and released white doves overlooking the ruins of the ancient Roman city. He emphasized the enduring relevance of St. Augustine’s teachings, positioning the North African saint as a bridge between cultures and faiths.
Leo, who has repeatedly identified himself as a “son of St. Augustine,” is using the trip to highlight the saint’s African roots and promote Christian-Muslim coexistence — a central theme of his papacy.
The Algeria visit marks the first stop of an 11-day, four-country Africa tour, underscoring the Vatican’s focus on interfaith dialogue and peace-building at a time of escalating geopolitical conflict.
