In his first official speech in Algiers, Pope Leo urged reconciliation and forgiveness while honoring victims of Algeria’s 1954–1962 war of independence from France. Speaking at the Algerian Martyrs Memorial, the pope paid tribute to those who died during the war, which led to Algeria’s independence after years of brutal conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. “Let us remember that God desires peace for every nation,” he said, emphasizing healing at a time of renewed diplomatic strain between Algeria and France.
The remarks come shortly after Leo met Emmanuel Macron at the Vatican, signaling efforts to ease tensions between the two nations, whose relationship has long been shaped by colonial history and unresolved grievances. Leo’s two-day visit also carries deep personal and spiritual meaning. Algeria is the birthplace of Saint Augustine, whose teachings heavily influence the pope. Augustine’s philosophy laid the groundwork for the Augustinian order, to which Leo belongs, emphasizing humility, community, and service. In his first papal address earlier this year, Leo described himself as a “son” of Augustine. Calling the visit “a very precious opportunity,” Leo said his mission is to promote “peace and reconciliation with respect and consideration for all peoples.”
The pope has also recently spoken out on global issues, criticizing threats against civilians and calling for humane treatment of migrants. His comments have drawn sharp reactions from Donald Trump, who accused him of being weak on policy and suggested his election in May 2025 was politically motivated. Trump also faced backlash after sharing, then deleting, an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, an act condemned by Masoud Pezeshkian as offensive. Addressing reporters during his flight, Leo distanced his role from political agendas, saying, “We’re not politicians… we’re not looking to make foreign policy from that perspective.”
