He Pope Leo XIV He began a visit on Monday to Algeriathe first trip of a pontiff to this majority country muslimand stated that he had no intention of debating with Donald Trump Despite criticism from the president of USA.
Shortly before leaving Romathe pope, born in the United States, became the target of bitter criticism from Trumpwho attacked the comments of León who asked for end of violence in the guerra of Iran.
You may be interested: Sheinbaum celebrates Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace
But the pope wanted to distance himself from the controversy.
“I am not a politician,” the pontiff told journalists aboard the papal plane.
“I have no intention of debating with (Trump),” he added, although he noted that he is not “afraid” of the administration United States.
Trump had said that “no it’s a big fan of the Pope Leo” and accused him of “playing with a country (Iran) who wants a nuclear weapon.”
Trump has called the pontiff “WEAK in matters of crimeand terrible for foreign policy,” suggesting that the cardinals they only chose León as papa in May 2025 because he was American and a possible bridge with Washington.
You may be interested: Pakistan urges the US and Iran to maintain the ceasefire
Trump as Jesus
Trump He then published an image generated by artificial intelligence which apparently represents himself as Jesus.
León landed in the capital, Algiers and later issued a call to the “sorry“in a speech in tribute to the victims of the guerra of independence of the country against France (1954-1962).
The comment, the first since his arrival in the North African country, comes amid growing tension between Algeria y Franceand after his meeting a few days ago with the president, Emmanuel Macron at the Vatican.
“In this place, let us remember that God desires peace for all nations,” said Leo XIV before the Monument to the Martyr Algerian in the capital.
“This pazwhich allows us to face the future with a reconciled spirit, is only possible through sorry“, said.
build bridges
The archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vescosaid that León’s visit aims to “build bridges between the worlds cristiano y Muslim“.
The visit also has deep personal meaning for the pope, as Algeria was the homeland of sthe Agustín (354-430)whose spiritual legacy permeates the pontificate of León.
Saint Augustineone of the main Christian theologians, laid the foundations of the 13th century Augustinian order to which León belongs, based in community life and service.
In his first speech as papa, León introduced itself as “son” by Saint Augustine, whose writings he often quotes.
The papal tour to Africa includes AlgeriaCameroon, Angola y Equatorial Guineaand covers more than 18,000 kilometers between the April 13 and 23.
The first minister Italian, Giorgia Meloni, issued a statement Monday morning wishing the pope a successful trip at four african nations.
“May the ministry of Holy Father favor the resolution of conflicts and the return of peace, both within and between nations,” he wrote.
Decked out city
No ““mass bath” in the capital, and the famous popemobile will remain at the airport, according to the information site Kasbah Tribune.
On Monday, Leo XIV plans pray privately in the chapel of the 19 “martyrs of Algeria”, priests and assassinated religious during the black decade of the civil war (1992-2002), symbol of the price paid by religious people committed to dialogue with Islam.
But a trip to the monastery of Tibhirinewhose monks were kidnapped y murdered in 1996, an episode still covered in shadows.
In the pilgrimage more personal, the pope will travel on Tuesday to Annaba (east), near the border with Tunisia, the ancient Hippoof which San Agustín fue bishop.
Before his election to the papacy, Robert Francis Prevost (now Leo XIV) visited Algeria twice as leader of the order of Saint Augustine, founded in the 13th century.
In Annabathe pope will visit the archaeological site of Hippo, where remains of the Roman city are preserved and Christianand will celebrate a mass in the basilica.
Leave a Reply