LIVE: Pope Leo XIV Departs Rome for Historic Visit to Algeria Copy link

From the Basilica of Saint Augustine to the city’s main arteries, Algeria’s “Bône” prepares to make history.

The city of Annaba is preparing to host an unprecedented historic event: the visit of Pope Leo XIV, marking the most symbolic stop of his African tour.

This visit holds special significance as it is the first of its kind in Algeria’s history, deeply rooted in the spiritual legacy of Saint Augustine, who lived in the city and left an eternal intellectual mark. Throughout the city streets, preparations are clearly underway, with extensive cleaning campaigns and the rehabilitation of public spaces, particularly along major arteries like the Sidi Brahim axis and areas surrounding historical landmarks. Significant focus has been placed on improving the urban landscape to reflect the image of an organized city capable of receiving world-class guests.

Religious and historical sites are receiving particular attention, led by the Basilica of Saint Augustine—one of the region’s most prominent spiritual symbols. Preparations have included maintenance and beautification of the site and its surroundings in anticipation of hosting part of the visit’s program.

On an organizational level, local authorities are working in coordination with various agencies to establish meticulous arrangements, ensuring the event’s success in terms of reception, logistics, and delegation security. A substantial media and diplomatic presence is expected, necessitating a high level of readiness.

The importance of this visit transcends mere protocol; it is an opportunity to strengthen the values of dialogue and interfaith coexistence, especially in a country like Algeria, which boasts a rich history of cultural and religious diversity. This event is set to send positive messages regarding stability and openness.

📍 Annaba is Ready: A Historic Welcome Awaits Pope Leo XIV 🇩🇿🇻🇦
Urban renewal and spiritual heritage converge as the city gears up for an unprecedented Apostolic journey. From the Basilica of St. Augustine to its revitalized streets, Annaba stands in full splendor. #Algeria pic.twitter.com/npg67r5P5L

— Algeria Gate -English (@algatedzEng) April 12, 2026

Ultimately, Annaba appears ready to write a new chapter in its history—where the memories of the past meet the aspirations of the present—presenting itself with the confidence and organization befitting its status as a host of global events.

The Four-Nation Tour Begins in Algeria Before Heading to Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea to Promote Peace and Dialogue

From April 13 to April 23, 2026, the Pope will undertake a major apostolic journey to Africa, covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. As a “son of Saint Augustine,” the Pope has made the significant choice to spend 11 days visiting the African continent. The itinerary includes Masses, political meetings, social visits, and calls for peace in sensitive regions. The entire journey will be broadcast live on KTO and ktotv.com.

Responding to invitations from Heads of State and the respective ecclesiastical authorities, his journey is scheduled as follows:

• Algeria (April 13–15): Visiting Algiers and Annaba.
• Cameroon (April 15–18): Visiting the cities of Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala.
• Angola (April 18–21): Visiting Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo.
• Equatorial Guinea (April 21–23): Concluding the tour in Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata.

Rome – Legal experts have reiterated the necessity of enforcing obligations arising from international law in Western Sahara in a manner that guarantees the legitimate rights of its people, particularly the right to self-determination and independence in accordance with international legitimacy.

In this context, Italian journalist and political affairs specialist Elena Rosca affirmed that “the current situation in Western Sahara calls for the enforcement of international law to bring an end to the reality of occupation that Morocco is attempting to consolidate, in blatant violation of UN resolutions and charters.”

In an analytical article recently published in the Chilean newspaper Clarín de Chile under the title “When International Law Collapses,” Rosca—who is also a human rights advocate—stated that the conflict in Western Sahara represents “a real test of the applicability of international law in achieving international peace and security, and in delivering justice to the Sahrawi people by enabling their right to self-determination.”

Within the same framework, the Italian writer criticized the silence of the international community in the face of serious human rights violations committed by Moroccan authorities in the occupied part of Western Sahara, as well as what she described as “double standards” reflected in the selective handling of global crises.

She further denounced the European Union’s conclusion of trade agreements with Morocco as “illegal,” describing them as a clear breach of international law despite relevant court rulings affirming that Western Sahara and Morocco are “separate territories.” She also pointed to the “contradictions” in the positions of certain EU member states, which “ignore international law in Western Sahara while defending it in other conflicts.”

On another front, the Italian journalist highlighted the “significant” legal gains achieved by the Polisario Front in favor of the Sahrawi cause, noting its reliance on a form of diplomacy “based on recourse to European courts and the building of alliances with civil society and trade union organizations.”

For his part, Joseph Huddleston, a researcher specializing in diplomacy and international relations, stressed in an analytical study that the continuation of Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara “without sanctions or serious pressure” from the international community could encourage the persistence of the current colonial situation.

He warned that failure to resolve the conflict stems from a “policy of fait accompli” imposed by Morocco, particularly through its continued obstruction of any referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people and its prevention of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) from fully carrying out its mandate.

The researcher considered that supporting a “genuine” referendum to resolve the conflict represents a “strategic opportunity” to preserve global peace and security.

Meanwhile, the news platform “Don’t Forget Western Sahara” underscored the importance of enforcing international law in the territory by enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.

In an article titled “After 50 Years: An Unfinished Decolonization,” the platform noted that, after five decades, the conflict remains without a definitive political solution.

The right to self-determination remains unrealized amid the international community’s failure to fulfill its commitments and compel Morocco to organize a referendum, as agreed upon by the two parties to the conflict (Morocco and the Polisario Front) in 1991 under UN auspices.

The article concluded that the Sahrawi people remain divided between exile, occupation, and liberated territories, reflecting the urgent need for the effective implementation of international law in Western Sahara.