His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Algerian Community: Prayer, charity, unity are essential to Christian presence
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV encourages the Christian Community in Algeria to remain rooted in “Prayer, charity and unity,” praising their quiet witness and urging them to be a sign of peace and fraternity.
Vatican News
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Algerian Community: Prayer, charity, unity are essential to Christian presence (ANSA)
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Community in Algeria on Monday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, the last event of his first day in the country.
Greeting those gathered, the Pope expressed "profound joy and fatherly affection" at being with a Community whose presence he described as "discreet and precious," marked by "an ancient heritage and by luminous witnesses of the faith."
He recalled in particular the nineteen religious men and women killed in Algeria in the 1990s, noting that they chose "to stand alongside this people in its joys and sorrows."
Their witness, he said, remains alive today and "their blood is a living seed that never ceases to bear fruit."
The Holy Father pointed to the deeper historical roots of Christianity in the region, recalling that in this land "resounded the fervent voice of Augustine of Hippo," together with the example of St. Monica and other Saints.
'We all need to pray'
Reflecting on the life of the Church in Algeria, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV focused first on Prayer, describing it as essential. "We all need to pray," he said, recalling the words of Pope St. John Paul II that "man cannot live without Prayer, any more than he can live without breathing."
He referred to the experience shared by a member of the local Community, noting that many come to the Basilica seeking silence, to "express their concerns, to pray for their loved ones," and to find someone willing to listen.
"Prayer unites, humanises, strengthens, and purifies the heart," the Pope said, adding that through Prayer "the Church in Algeria sows humanity, unity, strength and purity, reaching places known only to the Lord."
Charity beyond material assistance
Turning to charity, the Pope highlighted the work of those serving vulnerable people, especially children with disabilities and their families. He stressed that such service goes beyond meeting material needs.
"Mercy and service are about more than just providing material help," he said. Rather, they become "an opportunity for grace, enabling everyone involved to grow and be enriched."
He noted how simple acts, such as visiting the sick, can develop into broader forms of support and Community life. In this context, he again pointed to the witness of the martyrs, who remained faithful “in the face of hatred and violence.”
Recalling the words of Brother Luc of Tibhirine, who chose not to leave despite the risks, the Pope said his response was simple: "I want to stay with them."
'Peace be with you'
The Pope went on to speak of unity and peace, recalling that the motto of his visit is drawn from the Gospel: "Peace be with you!"
He also quoted an early Christian inscription from Tipasa that says, "In God, may peace and harmony reign in our life together." From the earliest days of the Church, he noted, peace and concord have been central to Christian Community life.
Describing the Basilica as a sign of this calling, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV said it represents "a Church of living stones, where communion between Christians and Muslims takes shape under the mantle of Our Lady of Africa."
He highlighted that faith should foster openness and fraternity: "Faith does not isolate, but opens us up; it unites us, but does not create confusion; it brings us closer, without homogenising."
In a world marked by division and conflict, he said, the experience of coexistence in Algeria offers a meaningful witness of unity and peace, calling it "a compelling sign"…
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