Annaba: Pope Leo XIV arrived on Tuesday in the Algerian city of Annaba, formerly known as Hippo, located 450 kilometers from Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, as part of his pastoral agenda. The pontiff's approximately one-hour journey was accompanied by at least two SU30 fighter jets from the Algerian Air Force.
According to Angola Press News Agency, in Annaba, the land of his spiritual father Saint Augustine, Pope Leo XIV is expected to follow a practice initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who prioritized meeting with his Jesuit confreres during all trips. Pope Leo XIV will engage with the priests of the Augustinian order, visit an archaeological site, and spend time at the elderly care home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Algeria, where the Pope landed on Monday amidst rainfall, is the starting point of the longest pastoral trip of his pontificate. This journey will subsequently take him to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Pope Leo XIV will be the third pontiff to visit Angolan soil, following in the footsteps of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
