Pope Leo XIV Hails Algerian People as “Unbroken by Hardship,” Praises Their Values of Solidarity and Acceptance of Others
Pope Leo XIV affirmed on Monday in Algiers that the Algerian people have never been defeated by hardship, as they are deeply rooted in the values of solidarity, acceptance of others, and a strong sense of community, praising their hospitality and great generosity.
In a speech delivered at the Cultural Center of the Great Mosque of Algiers, in the presence of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, senior state officials, members of the government, representatives of national institutions, civil society, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria, the Pope said he came “with a strong desire to meet the noble Algerian people,” stressing that “their deep religious sense is the secret of a culture of encounter and reconciliation in a world filled with conflict and misunderstanding.”
He emphasized that he came “as a witness to the peace and hope that the world deeply longs for, and that the Algerian people have always sought,” noting that Algerians have never been broken by hardship because they are anchored in the values of solidarity, acceptance of others, and a spirit of community woven into the daily lives of millions of humble and kind people.
“They are the strong ones, and they are the future,” he said, adding that they are those who are not blinded by power or wealth and who do not sacrifice the dignity of citizens for personal gain or the benefit of one group over another.
The Pope also noted that the Algerian people have repeatedly demonstrated great generosity, highlighting that this attitude is reflected in their deeply rooted hospitality, which he described as a fundamental social value.
