ANNABA, Algeria (AP) – Pope Leo XIV is making a historic pilgrimage to Annaba, the modern-day Hippo, following in the footsteps of St. Augustine, a significant figure in early Christianity. This visit marks the first-ever papal trip to Algeria, occurring on his second full day in the country. Leo arrived in Annaba against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, including the war in Iran, and his ongoing calls for peace, which have led to a public feud with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The pope, who referred to himself as a "son of St. Augustine" on the night of his election, has actively cited Augustine's teachings during his pontificate. His pilgrimage aims to promote peace and Christian-Muslim coexistence, with a particular focus on Augustine as a bridge-builder between faiths. This visit also sheds light on Augustine's North African origins, countering the common Eurocentric perspective that typically associates him primarily with Europe. Despite spending just five years in Italy, Augustine’s influential writings on truth, evil, creation, and grace have made him one of the pillars of Western thought.

St. Augustine was born in 354 in Thagaste, which is present-day Souk Ahras in Algeria, to a Berber mother and a Roman father. At that time, North Africa was part of the Roman Empire. Augustine was educated in Carthage, modern-day Tunisia, before moving to Rome in 383. Following his conversion to Christianity in Milan, he returned to North Africa, where he became the bishop of Hippo and authored significant works such as "Confessions" and "The City of God."

A new book by Catherine Conybeare, an Augustinian scholar at Bryn Mawr College, titled "Augustine the African," explores Augustine’s experiences as a North African in a predominantly Roman world. Conybeare emphasizes that one of Western intellectual history’s most important thinkers came from Africa and spent the majority of his life there, highlighting the need to reassess how his legacy is told and preserved.

Amid his welcoming remarks, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed immense pride in St. Augustine, describing him as "a cherished son of this land.” He noted that Algeria was Augustine's first cradle and proudly served as his initial resting place.

For Pope Leo, this visit holds deep personal significance. Prior to his papacy, he visited Annaba twice while serving as the superior of the Augustinian order. He stated that this journey was intended to be the first of his pontificate and emphasized that several people had suggested Algeria due to St. Augustine's legacy. Although other trips delayed his original plans, he made the visit nonetheless, underscoring Augustine’s role as a vital link in interreligious dialogue and reconciliation.

While in Annaba, Pope Leo will visit the archaeological ruins of the ancient city of Hippo, including key sites such as the theater, market, and thermal baths. The location features the ruins of the basilica where Augustine preached, along with an adjoining baptistry. He is also scheduled to meet with a group of nuns and the small Augustinian community in Annaba. The day will culminate with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine, constructed in the late 1800s and home to the saint's relic, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually, including Muslims.