Pope Leo XIV Begins Historic Algeria Visit on 11-Day African Tour

Pope Leo XIV began an 11-day, four-nation tour of Africa on April 13, 2026.

He arrived in Algiers, the first papal trip to the Muslim-majority country.

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The tour also includes Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.

The trip aims to build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.

The visit to Algeria holds personal significance as it is the homeland of Saint Augustine.

The pope planned to visit the Great Mosque of Algiers and the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa.

The tour began under the shadow of escalating tensions between Pope Leo and Trump.

Trump publicly criticized the pope, calling him WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy.

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The pope responded saying he had no fear of the Trump administration.

He insisted the Church has a moral duty to speak out against war.

Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ.

The Vatican said Trump's attacks reflected his impotence.

Pope Leo met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and addressed diplomats.

He paid tribute to victims of Algeria's war of independence.

The pope planned to visit Annaba, the ancient Roman city of Hippo.

Human rights groups say repression of religious minorities continues.

The pope will not visit the Tibhirine monastery.

The trip is set against a backdrop of global conflict.