Algeria welcomed Pope Leo XIV to the northeastern city of Annaba on Tuesday 14 April 2026, where he honoured Saint Augustine and celebrated Mass at a basilica overlooking the Mediterranean. In the former Roman city of Hippo, the pontiff first visited a care home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, highlighting themes of ageing, solidarity and dignity, before addressing a congregation of a few hundred faithful.
Speaking in French, he encouraged believers to express their faith through "simple gestures" and daily dialogue, emphasising resilience within a community that numbers fewer than 10,000 Catholics in a country of around 47 million people. In his homily, he reflected on memory, identity and hope, urging the faithful to remain rooted despite their small presence.
