Pope Leo XIV Begins Africa Tour in Algeria

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a member of the Augustinian order, began an 11-day tour of Africa on Monday, April 13, landing in Algiers, Algeria, to promote interfaith dialogue and honor his spiritual inspirations amid ongoing global conflicts. The tour, which will span more than 18,000 kilometers and include stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, underscores the Catholic Church's expanding presence in a region where its membership is growing rapidly.

Upon arrival in the Algerian capital, Leo was greeted by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and proceeded to the Maqam Echahid, a monument commemorating those who died in the country's 1954-1962 war of independence against French colonial rule. Later that day, he visited the Great Mosque of Algiers, the third-largest mosque in the world, where he removed his shoes as a sign of respect and engaged in a guided tour. Welcomed by the mosque's rector, Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim, the pope emphasized themes of mutual respect and shared humanity. "To seek God also means recognizing the image of God in every man and woman," Leo said, according to Vatican officials, adding that such recognition demands coexistence and the...