Pope Leo XIV Begins First Africa Tour With Visit to Algeria

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The US-born Pontiff Arrives in Algiers to Build Bridges Between Faiths Before Visiting Three Sub-Saharan Nations

Pope Leo XIV has commenced a landmark journey to Africa, beginning with a historic visit to Algeria, the first time a Catholic pontiff has set foot in the Muslim-majority North African nation. The 70-year-old US-born pope arrived in the capital, Algiers, at approximately 09:00 GMT on Monday, according to an AFP journalist traveling aboard the papal plane.

Upon arrival, the pontiff is scheduled to pay tribute to the victims of Algeria's brutal war of independence from France, which lasted from 1954 to 1962. This gesture underscores the visit's focus on reconciliation and historical memory in a country where the Catholic population is a tiny minority.

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Despite having fewer than 10,000 Catholics among its population of roughly 48 million, Algeria holds a unique significance for this trip. Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers told AFP that the visit is "aimed at continuing to build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds." The presence of the Pope in a predominantly Muslim country highlights the Vatican's commitment to interfaith dialogue and peace in the region.

Following his two-day stay in Algeria, Pope Leo XIV will embark on an ambitious 11-day tour covering four countries and 11 cities. The itinerary includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—three sub-Saharan nations where more than half the population identifies as Catholic.

The tour will cover nearly 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) across 18 flights. According to Vatican statistics, Africa is home to more than one-fifth of the world's Catholics, making the continent a focal point for the Church's future. During these visits, the Pope is expected to urge global leaders to address the specific developmental and humanitarian needs of the African continent.

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Pope Leo XIV, who was elected last May, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. This African tour marks only his second major overseas trip since his election, following visits to Turkiye and Lebanon in November and December, and a shorter trip to Monaco in March.

As he begins this journey, the Pope carries a message of unity and advocacy, seeking to strengthen the bond between the global Church and the rapidly growing Catholic communities in Africa while fostering peace in the broader Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.