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| A Historic Welcome to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV: A Shared Commitment to Peace, Justice, and Dialogue |
** "In a world of growing divisions, the strength of nations lies in their
ability to unite around the timeless values of justice, peace, and human
dignity." – Algerian President
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A Historic Welcome to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV: A Shared Commitment to Peace, Justice, and Dialogue
Address by the Algerian President...
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: Your Eminences, members of the distinguished delegation accompanying His Holiness the Pope
Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of the highest authorities of the country, each in their respective capacity
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Algeria
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media
Distinguished Guests
On behalf of the Algerian people, government, and institutions,
It is my pleasure and honor to extend to Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV a warm welcome to the land of Algeria.
The land of Algeria, a land of ancient history, a land where civilizations meet and fuse, a land of deep-rooted authenticity, and of enriching and constructive openness.
Your Holiness's presence among us today represents a truly historic event.
This visit is the first by a Pope of the Vatican to our country since our independence, and even before. It is therefore a truly auspicious visit, which gives it a unique character and encapsulates the shared aspirations and ambitions we have on many levels.
Welcome, Your Holiness, to this blessed land that gave birth to Saint Augustine, your spiritual father and one of the greatest figures of human thought in history. He was originally from Dagestanius (now Solaras) and is currently the Bishop of Hippo Regius (Annaba). He is a son of this land, which he was keen to make his final resting place, after it had been his birthplace.
Algeria takes immense pride in the legacy of Saint Augustine as an integral and intrinsic part of our rich history, just as it takes immense pride in the legacy of the founder of the modern Algerian state, Emir Abdelkader. He was truly a statesman, a religious leader, and a thinker ahead of his time in establishing the values of tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
How much our world today needs to draw inspiration from the legacy of these two shining beacons from the land of Algeria, at a time when transformations are accelerating, challenges are growing, and the presence of the guiding values that all of humanity should rally around and follow is diminishing. In such a critical juncture, Your Holiness, your voice carries a special resonance and a unique weight, reflecting the lofty human values embodied by your esteemed person and the profound and noble spiritual messages conveyed by your exalted position.
** Today, Your Holiness, you are a staunch advocate for social justice at a time when we are witnessing a widening economic gap globally, particularly between the North and the South, and a deepening disparity in development levels, both between nations and within nations among their various components.
Algeria is among the nations most committed to social justice. Algeria waged its liberation revolution to achieve this justice, making it a guiding principle in its development journey, a cornerstone of its successive constitutions, and the foundation of its national policies since independence to this day. This aligns in essence and purpose with your noble mission of defending all those who lack the means for a dignified life. We consider ourselves your partners in carrying this noble message. Today, Your Holiness, you are a leading advocate for peace in the world at a time when wars are ravaging the security and stability of many regions, especially the Middle East. We find solace in your courageous and humane stance on the tragedy of Gaza.
We also commend your position on the grave developments that have befallen the Palestinian cause as a whole, and on all the disasters and tragedies that have afflicted the Gulf region. We join Your Holiness and all people of conscience worldwide in calling for justice for the Palestinian people by enabling them to receive the aid they need, putting an end to the systematic crimes committed against them, and upholding their inalienable and imprescriptible right to establish their independent and sovereign state.
Our voices echo yours in praying for security and safety for the Gulf region and for Lebanon, that they may overcome all the hardships unjustly and aggressively inflicted upon them. We pray that Your Holiness, the Pope, will be a beacon of universal human and spiritual values: the values of freedom, dialogue, and coexistence.
** Algeria fully understands the meaning and significance of these authentic values, deeply rooted in its identity. Algeria is fully committed to supporting and promoting these values in all spheres, both within its regional context and beyond. Algeria has always been a space of harmony, interaction, and cohesion, providing safe haven for the oppressed, persecuted, and marginalized, consistently defending human dignity, and standing firmly with just causes throughout the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even Europe.
These are the universal human values we share with Your Holiness, the Pope: belief in them, commitment to their principles, and working to realize them at both the regional and international levels—values of social justice, peace, freedom, dialogue, and coexistence.
On this basis, I reiterate to Your Holiness Algeria's complete readiness to continue working with the Holy See to promote understanding instead of division, dialogue instead of conflict, and coexistence and cooperation instead of hostility and discord. Once again, I extend to Your Holiness a warm and fraternal welcome and thank you for accepting Algeria's invitation. I congratulate you on your sincere efforts for the good of our countries, our peoples, and all of humanity.
Thank you for your kind attention.
** Speech by the Pope Leo XVI
During his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful speech to civil authorities in Algiers, calling for a world marked by peace, mutual enrichment, and respect for human dignity. Addressing around 1,400 attendees at the Djamaa el Djazair Conference Center, the Pope emphasized the importance of creating “oases of peace” within society—places where human life is valued and never exploited.
Pope Leo expressed gratitude to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for inviting him to Algeria, particularly in the first year of his papacy. He shared that he had previously visited Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo, and that his connection with St. Augustine’s legacy had deepened during those visits. In his speech, the Pope described himself as a “pilgrim of peace,” noting that all people are brothers and sisters, united by the same Father in heaven.
The Pope praised the Algerian people for their culture of encounter and reconciliation, particularly their spirit of solidarity and hospitality. He highlighted the generosity shown through the practice of almsgiving, which is rooted in a strong sense of justice and reflects the recognition of the image of God in others. “This view of justice,” he said, “is both simple and radical, for it recognizes the image of God in others.” He went on to assert that a religion without mercy and a society without solidarity are a scandal in God’s eyes.
Pope Leo urged Algeria’s civil leaders to embrace dialogue and solidarity, as well as to prioritize the dignity of every individual. By being moved by the pain of others and rejecting misunderstandings and conflicts, he believed that Algeria’s leaders could usher in a new chapter in history where cooperation replaces division. Drawing on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, the Pope stressed the importance of shaping globalization in a way that benefits all people, ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable.
** The Pope also encouraged Algerian authorities to promote a dynamic and free civil society, where young people play a key role in broadening horizons and offering hope for the future. He emphasized that a nation’s true strength lies in its ability to foster cooperation among its citizens, with authorities serving the people and promoting their development rather than dominating them.
Pope Leo further highlighted Algeria’s strategic position, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert, symbolizing a spiritual crossroads of cultures and shared humanity. These areas, he argued, have historically been places of mutual enrichment, and it would be a tragedy to allow them to become sites of despair. He called on Algeria’s leaders to transform these vast landscapes into places of life, encounter, and wonder by uniting their spiritual energy, intellect, and resources.
Acknowledging the tension between fundamentalism and secularism in Algerian society, Pope Leo urged leaders to resist polarization and face challenges with wisdom. He concluded by encouraging them to remain hopeful and use spiritual traditions to find new ways of seeing the world, thus contributing to a renewed sense of purpose and peace in the country.
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