Pope Leo on Monday visited the Great Mosque of Algiers, often referred to as the “Mosque of Algeria”, as part of his 11-day tour of Africa.
According to EWTN Vatican, upon entering the mosque, which is home to the world’s highest minaret, the Pope removed his shoes as a gesture of respect.
At the mosque, Pope Leo reportedly highlighted the site’s spiritual significance and paused in silent meditation.
“Welcomed by the Rector of the Mosque, Mohamed Mamoun al Qasim, who offered words of fraternity, the Pope said.
‘I thank you for these reflections and for these important words during this visit, from a place that represents the space that belongs to God, a divine and sacred space, where many people come to pray and to seek the presence of the Most High in their lives,’” Vatican News noted.
He reportedly recalled his personal link to the country through Augustine of Hippo, describing Algeria as “the land of my spiritual father,” and highlighted themes central to his address: the search for truth, the recognition of the dignity of every human being, and the shared responsibility to build peace.
“To seek God,” he said, “also means recognising the image of God in every man and woman,” and he said that such recognition calls for mutual respect and coexistence.
The Pope was also said to have pointed to the dual religious and intellectual vocation of the mosque complex, noting the importance of developing human knowledge to better understand creation and the dignity of the human person.
He concluded by assuring prayers for the people of Algeria and for all nations, expressing hope that peace, justice, reconciliation and forgiveness would grow among peoples.
The programme included a guided visit to the mosque, an official photograph and the signing of the Book of Honour in which the Pope wrote: “May the mercy of the Most High keep the noble Algerian people and the entire human family in peace and freedom.”
The Grand Mosque of Algiers is reportedly the third-largest mosque in the world, capable of accommodating up to 120,000 worshippers.
“The Mosque’s minaret reaches a height of 267 meters, making it the tallest in the world, while the main prayer hall is surmounted by a large dome, 50 meters in diameter and 70 meters high, whose exterior combines stone decorative elements with golden aluminium panels that create a visual effect that reflects traditional Arab artistic motifs while maintaining a sense of lightness.
“Beyond its role as a place of worship, the mosque complex integrates a wide range of cultural and academic functions. It includes a library, research centre, museums, administrative offices, gardens, panoramic terraces, restaurants and parking facilities, positioning it as both a religious and civic landmark,” Vatican News added.
The papal visit to Africa reportedly includes Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, and will cover more than 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) between April 13 and 23.
The Guardian reports that on arrival at Algiers international airport on Monday, the Pope was welcomed by Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
He was reportedly later taken to the Maqam Echahid, a monument that commemorates those who died in the 1954-62 Algerian war for independence against French colonial rule.
Father Peter Claver Kogh, the rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, was said to have described the Pope’s visit as a moment to strengthen bonds between Christian and Muslim communities, and solidify “the desire to have a climate of peace and tolerance among these two religions”.
He added, “That is what the world needs now – a world of fraternal living and living in harmony. That will be the utmost importance of this visit for Christians and Muslims who are here, and all those who desire to live in peace and harmony.”
Algeria is said to be the only Muslim-majority country on the pope’s tour. While its Catholic population is relatively small, the country holds particular significance for Pope Leo as the birthplace of Saint Augustine. Leo is the first pontiff from the Augustinian order, a theological tradition that emphasises a commitment to “live together in harmony”.
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