HICGI News Agency – Updated at 1820 on Monday 13th April 2026

Pope Leo XIV has begun a landmark visit to Algeria in the first trip to the Muslim-majority country by a pontiff.

The United States-born pope arrived in the capital Algiers at around 09:00 GMT on Monday.

He is expected to pay tribute to victims of Algeria’s war of independence from France (1954-1962) later in the day.

The 70-year-old pontiff is on an ambitious 11-day tour of four countries in Africa, urging global leaders to address the needs of the continent where more than a fifth of the world’s Catholics live, according to Vatican statistics.

Algeria, however, is an overwhelmingly Muslim country with fewer than 10,000 Catholics among its population of some 48 million people. This is the first time it will host a Catholic pope.

The trip is aimed at continuing to “build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds”, the archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vesco, told journaliata.

After two days in Algeria, Leo will go to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in a whirlwind tour of 11 cities and towns, traversing nearly 18,000km (11,185 miles) over 18 flights. The three sub-Saharan nations the pope is visiting have populations where more than half identify as Catholic.

Pope Leo XIV has  recently issued a strong message against war and violence, stating that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them,” as he prepares for his historic visit to Algeria this week.

The Pope made the remarks in respect of US – Israel War against Iran during a recent address emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and dialogue among nations. He stressed that true faith must be demonstrated through acts of compassion, unity, and respect for human life.

The Pope’s message has disturbed President Donald Trump who also counts on the catholic vote.

“God hears the cries of the suffering, the poor, and the innocent,” Pope Leo XIV said. “But those who wage war while claiming divine justification contradict the very message of peace that God teaches.”

A Call for Peace in a Divided World

Analysts say the Pope’s remarks signal that peace will be the central theme of his Algeria visit, particularly at a time when global conflicts continue to threaten stability.

The Vatican has described the trip as a “mission of peace,” aimed at strengthening relations between religions and encouraging coexistence.

Pope Leo XIV is also expected to meet religious leaders, government officials, and members of the Christian minority in Algeria, reinforcing his message that faith must unite rather than divide.