
Pope Leo XIV addressed journalists in Algiers on April 13, 2026, clarifying his mission amidst international tensions and criticism from the US President via Truth Social. The Pontiff stated, "This is a special trip, the first I wanted to make. A very important opportunity to promote reconciliation and respect among peoples. I am not a politician, I speak of the Gospel." He refused to engage in a dispute with the Trump administration, reaffirming his role to deliver a message of "peacebuilders" and oppose war, independent of major powers' foreign policy agendas. Pope Leo XIV revealed that this trip, encompassing Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, was intended to be the first of his pontificate. He expressed particular joy at the prospect of following in the footsteps of Saint Augustine in Annaba, viewing it as a crucial link for dialogue between Christianity and Islam. The Pope advocated for dialogue and respect for the sovereignty of peoples, opposing the law of the strongest. He described this journey as a "blessing" aimed at building bridges where others erect walls.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.