People from around the world gather at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba for Holy Mass with Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, 14 April, during the first leg of his Apostolic Journey in Africa.
By Claudia Torres – Annaba, Algeria A mosaic of people filled the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, for Holy Mass with Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, 14 April, his second day in Algeria. Pilgrims, university students, and men and women religious from all over the world, including Tunisia, Uganda, and as far away as Brazil, braved the wind and rain to attend the celebration in the church perched on a hill in the coastal city of Annaba. The Basilica was built between 1881 and 1907, after the then Archbishop of Algiers, Monsignor Charles-Martial-Allemand Lavigerie, bought the land for that purpose. Strengthening ties of friendship Among those present for the liturgy with the Holy Father was Ashley Null, Anglican Bishop of North Africa, a diocese covering Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Chad. Speaking to Vatican News before the celebration, he said, “I think the truth is, the only thing more beautiful than the landscape and the seascape of Algeria is the beauty of the hearts of the people”. He admired how the Algerian people “opened their arms and their hearts” to embrace Pope Leo, “make him feel welcome”, and “honor his mission of peace”. He added, “In a world filled with differences, sharp edges, community dislocation and destruction, every step towards emphasizing respect for every human being who bears the image of God, and strengthening ties of love and friendship is one more step in a necessary, positive, and progressive possibility for the future”. Praying for the entire people of God Among the concelebrants were three priests from the Diocese of Masaka, in Uganda: parish priests Fr Joseph Kamoga and Fr John Mary Vianney, and Diocesan Vice Chancellor Fr Alex Kiyimba. Despite the long flight from East Africa, they all expressed joy for what Fr Joseph called “a wonderful chance” to join the Pope for Holy Mass, and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the land of Saint Augustine. Fr John Mary Vianney added that they were also in Annaba “to pray for the entire people of God” and in particular for the people of Uganda. Echoing his companions, Fr Alex Kiyimba also stressed the importance of praying for peace and for the conversion of hearts, giving the example of Saint Monica, Augustine’s mother. “She prayed for him”, he said. “He converted and served to the extent of becoming the Bishop of Hippo”. The Ugandan priest said he is also praying for the grace to serve well and for people to turn to God. God's love brings Muslims and Christians together Sitting beside them before Mass was Fr Raymond Gonnet, who has been in Algeria for more than 56 years and who was visiting the Basilica for the first time. He expressed a sense of wonder at the “great multitude” that had gathered for Holy Mass, explaining that at the Hermitage of Charles de Foucauld in the Sahara where he lives, Easter was celebrated with just two people. “It is Christ who gathers us”, he affirmed. “It is the love of God that brings us together in unity and in fraternal love”, he said, Muslims and Christians alike. Pilgrims following in Saint Augustine's footsteps There was also a group of 20 people from the Diocese of Tunis who made a pilgrimage to retrace Saint Augustine’s steps and participate in the papal Mass in Annaba. One of them was Marie Bouzir, who said the celebration was “very important” for “the faith in the Church and the faith in Africa”. Sitting beside her was Domnino Martínez, who lived in Asturias before moving to Tunisia. He said being able to walk where Saint Augustine walked centuries ago was “an immense grace”, and that the experience made the heavy rain and four-hour bus ride to get to the Basilica worthwhile. University students Theresa and Ruth shared their excitement for the unprecedented papal visit in Algeria. Theresa said it was “such a big honor” and a “blessing” to participate in Mass with him. Ruth echoed that sentiment, saying it was “a special day” and that she was proud to be Catholic. Also among the faithful was Jackson Santos, a Brazilian missionary of the Shalom Catholic Community who has been living in Algeria for three years and serving in the parish of Béjaïa, where his community organizes prayer activities, liturgical celebrations and offers language courses for African students. He said Pope Leo’s visit was “a very big blessing from God” to the “small Christian community” in Algeria. The celebration with Pope Leo XIV in the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba became a joyous and prayerful moment of encounter between cultures and generations, bringing together pilgrims, clergy, and students in a place central to one of Christianity’s greatest thinkers.