Pope Leo XIV Visits Algeria and Cameroon
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, began his Africa trip in Algeria with visits to the Great Mosque of Algiers and sites linked to Saint Augustine of Hippo. He departed for Cameroon after speaking on interfaith peace aboard the papal plane. The trip follows recent criticism from U.S. President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewU.S. President Trump launched a broadside against him. The pontiff's trip began with a visit to Algeria, a Muslim-majority country, where he visited the Great Mosque of Algiers, the largest in Africa, and stood in silent prayer there.
He is the first pontiff to visit Algeria. The pontiff also visited the birthplace of Saint Augustine of Hippo in Algeria and Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where Saint Augustine lived as a bishop for more than 30 years. Saint Augustine of Hippo was a bishop in the late fourth and early fifth centuries.
The pontiff is a member and former leader of the Augustinian order. On board the papal plane from Algeria to Cameroon on Wednesday, the pontiff spoke in English while traveling from Algiers to Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. He said Augustine is still 'an important figure' through his writings, teachings and spirituality.
' He said by going to Hippo he wanted to offer the church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers in terms of seeking unity among all peoples and respect for all people in spite of the differences.
The pontiff said 'we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.'
Saint Augustine’s memory is honored in Algeria despite its Muslim-majority population, and Algerians respect and honor St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land. The vast majority of Algerians are Muslim.
The pontiff expressed gratitude to Algerian authorities for making the trip possible.
Trump shared and later removed social media posts depicting himself in religious imagery, drawing criticism.
Vice-President JD Vance spoke at a Turning Point USA event on Tuesday. Catholic convert JD Vance advised caution on theological matters and questioned the Pope's application of Just War theory.
