President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared that the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Algeria represents a historic event in the fullest meaning of the term, as the two leaders met at the Grand Mosque of Algiers on Monday.
Delivering a landmark address, President Tebboune told dzwatch: “On behalf of Algeria — its people, government, and institutions — it is my honor and pleasure to warmly welcome His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the land of Algeria, a land of ancient history, a crossroads of civilizations, and a soil of deep-rooted authenticity.”
He further emphasized the exceptional significance of the papal visit, noting that it marks the first-ever visit by a reigning Pope to Algeria since the country’s independence — a milestone that lends the occasion a uniquely historic character and reflects the shared ambitions and aspirations between the two sides across multiple fronts.
President Tebboune also highlighted Algeria’s profound spiritual heritage, reminding the world that Algerian soil gave birth to Saint Augustine — one of the greatest figures in the history of human thought — a native of Souk Ahras and Bishop of Hippo, present-day Annaba.
The President reaffirmed that Algeria takes great pride in the legacy of Saint Augustine, just as it proudly upholds the legacy of Emir Abdelkader, the founding father of the modern Algerian state — a dual heritage that reflects the nation’s deep civilization and its enduring message of dialogue and coexistence.
