Pope Leo XIV is set to visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, where he will address Algeria’s political leaders and emphasize the importance of justice and unity. During his forceful first speech on Monday, he condemned violations of international law carried out by “neocolonial” powers, calling on global leaders to prioritize peace and dialogue. This marks the first time Algeria has hosted a Catholic pope.
In his remarks, Leo noted that the future belongs to those who refuse to be blinded by greed or power, warning that domination often leads to destruction. Though he did not name specific nations, his recent criticism of the Iran conflict and his peace advocacy highlight his stance against the “madness of war.” In response to the pope’s remarks, President Trump called Leo “terrible,” prompting swift criticism from American believers.
On the flight from Rome to Algiers, Leo stated his intention to keep speaking out against war and to promote peace through dialogue and cooperation, despite Trump’s comments. The 70-year-old pope, in excellent health, is undertaking one of the most complex trips in recent decades, traveling across 11 cities in four countries—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—covering nearly 18,000 km across 18 flights.
In Algeria, Leo urged leaders to foster a society rooted in justice and solidarity, especially amid ongoing violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies. Vatican official Cardinal Michael Czerny explained that the tour aims to draw attention to Africa. The continent is home to over 20% of the world’s Catholics, with the three sub-Saharan nations the pope visits having populations where over half identify as Catholic. Algeria, a predominantly Muslim country with fewer than 10,000 Catholics in its population of 48 million, will be hosting a pope for the first time.
Throughout his 10-day journey, Leo is expected to deliver 25 speeches on topics such as natural resource exploitation, Catholic-Muslim dialogue, and political corruption. Major events include a mass in Douala, Cameroon, expected to draw about 600,000 attendees. The pope’s multilingual skills—fluent in Italian, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish—will enhance his engagement with diverse audiences.
Following his meeting with Algerian political officials, Leo will visit the Great Mosque of Algiers in his second mosque visit as pope and later travel to the ancient town of Hippo in Annaba.
