Pope Leo XIV will make a historic visit to Algeria in April, marking the first papal trip to the Muslim-majority nation.
The announcement was hailed as a dream realised by Jean-Paul Vesco, the Franco-Algerian cardinal and Archbishop of Algiers.
Vesco described the visit as an opportunity to witness “the Algeria of today, bridging north and south, east and west, faiths converging.”
French newspaper El Watan called the journey “symbolically powerful,” highlighting Algeria’s coexistence of ancient Christian heritage with modern Muslim identity.
Arabic newspaper El Khabar echoed this view, calling the papal trip a “great symbolic and spiritual milestone” for the country.
The pontiff’s visit honours fifth-century Saint Augustine, born in modern-day Algeria, whose monastic order Leo XIV follows devoutly.
From April 13 to 15, the pope will visit Algiers and Annaba, where the Basilica of Saint Augustine stands as a historic beacon.
At 70, Leo said the trip aims to “continue dialogue and bridge-building between the Christian and Muslim worlds” across continents.
Following Algeria, the pope will travel to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, reinforcing his commitment to global outreach and interfaith dialogue.
The Algerian presidency described the visit as reflecting shared beliefs with the Vatican in building a world grounded in peace and justice.