By Ayomide Otitoju
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday visited the northeastern Algerian city of Annaba, retracing the legacy of early Christian theologian Saint Augustine, as he continued a historic visit to Africa marked by diplomatic tensions with Donald Trump.
The visit follows the pope’s arrival in Algeria on Monday, making him the first pontiff to visit the country. The trip is the opening leg of a broader tour of four African nations.
However, the visit has been overshadowed by a public dispute with Trump, who criticised the pope’s stance on the Middle East crisis, particularly the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. The US president accused the pontiff of engaging with a country pursuing nuclear weapons and reiterated that he had “nothing to apologise for.”
Responding during a flight to Algiers, Pope Leo emphasised his commitment to peace, stating that he was not afraid to speak out on the message of the Gospel.
The row escalated as JD Vance urged the Vatican to focus on moral issues, while political leaders and religious figures, including Giorgia Meloni, voiced support for the pope and criticised Trump’s remarks.
In Annaba, historically known as Hippo, the pope visited religious and social centres, including a facility run by Catholic nuns for elderly residents. He is also scheduled to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine alongside clergy from across Africa.
During his earlier address in Algiers, Pope Leo called for forgiveness while honouring victims of Algeria’s war of independence and encouraged the country’s leadership to embrace greater civic participation and strengthen democratic values.
The remarks come amid ongoing concerns over civil liberties following the Hirak protests, which demanded political reforms and transparency.
The pontiff is expected to depart Algeria on Wednesday, continuing his African tour with visits to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
