Pope Leo XIV arrived in the Algerian city of Annaba on Tuesday, continuing the second day of a historic visit to Algeria. The 70-year-old pontiff traveled to the northeastern city to visit sites associated with the Christian theologian St. Augustine.
This visit follows the Pope's landmark arrival in Algiers on Monday, making him the first pope to ever visit the country. The tour of four African nations has been shadowed by a public dispute between the Vatican and US President Donald Trump.
Trump recently criticized the Pope's calls for peace in the Middle East during the US-Israeli war on Iran. The US President accused Leo of "toying with a country [Iran] that wants a nuclear weapon" and stated he was "not a big fan" of the pontiff.
On Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism, telling reporters he had "nothing to apologise for" and that the Pope was "wrong."
Speaking from the papal plane en route to Algiers, Leo addressed the tension directly. "The Gospel says... blessed are the peacemakers," the Pope said. "I have no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel."
US Vice President JD Vance urged the Vatican to "stick to matters of morality" and let the US President dictate American public policy. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Trump's remarks "unacceptable."
Following the Augustinian tradition
The Pope's itinerary in Annaba includes visits to the remains of the ancient Roman city of Hippo, once the home of St. Augustine. Leo, a member of the Augustinian order, has previously referred to himself as a "son" of the saint.
He is scheduled to celebrate Mass at the hilltop Basilica of Saint Augustine alongside clergy from across the African continent. The visit also includes a stop at a Catholic-run reception centre that provides care for impoverished elderly residents, most of whom are Muslim.
