Pope Leo XIV is continuing his first apostolic journey in Africa, which kicked off on April 13 with a visit to Algeria. It’s the first time a pope has ever traveled to the country, and the opening stop drew attention fast after the pontiff expressed “gratitude for being in a place that represents the space proper to God.”. The pontiff began his visit at the Mosque of Algiers, the third-largest mosque in the world after those in Mecca and Medina.
He removed his shoes in accordance with protocol and spent just under ten minutes inside, including time in silent reflection alongside Imam Mohamed Mamoun al Qasimi.
According to Vatican News, parts of the visit included “silent reflection” near the mihrab, the niche indicating the direction of Mecca, toward which Muslims pray. The Vatican outlet said the Pope remained in the space with the imam during this period of reflection.
He was accompanied, according to LifeSite, by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Archbishop of Algiers Jean-Paul Vesco. The group later met privately with the mosque’s rector, where the Pope expressed “gratitude for being in a place that represents the space proper to God.”
Footage and reporting from the visit showed the Pope, the imam, and nearby media personnel all without shoes inside the mosque. Some individuals further back were seen wearing footwear, though they were outside the central area of the visit.
The Algerian stop follows a previous apostolic journey to Istanbul, where Pope Leo visited the Blue Mosque. During that earlier trip, he removed his shoes and toured the site in silence but did not participate in prayer, despite an invitation from the imam.
The Vatican initially described that Istanbul visit as including a “brief moment of silent prayer,” but later clarified that the Pope had chosen instead to treat it as a moment of listening and observation.
Pope Leo later said he prefers to pray in a Catholic church before the Blessed Sacrament, and said that his actions were not intended as a sign of disrespect toward Islam.
Leo also drew attention to Catholics who were killed by Muslims in Algeria while he visited the country yesterday evening. The pope mentioned Saint Charles de Foucauld and the 19 martyrs of Algeria, all of whom were killed for their faith, stating, "In the face of hatred and violence, they remained faithful to charity even to the point of sacrificing themselves alongside many other men and women."
He removed his shoes in accordance with protocol and spent just under ten minutes inside, including time in silent reflection alongside Imam Mohamed Mamoun al Qasimi.
According to Vatican News, parts of the visit included “silent reflection” near the mihrab, the niche indicating the direction of Mecca, toward which Muslims pray. The Vatican outlet said the Pope remained in the space with the imam during this period of reflection.
He was accompanied, according to LifeSite, by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Archbishop of Algiers Jean-Paul Vesco. The group later met privately with the mosque’s rector, where the Pope expressed “gratitude for being in a place that represents the space proper to God.”
Footage and reporting from the visit showed the Pope, the imam, and nearby media personnel all without shoes inside the mosque. Some individuals further back were seen wearing footwear, though they were outside the central area of the visit.
The Algerian stop follows a previous apostolic journey to Istanbul, where Pope Leo visited the Blue Mosque. During that earlier trip, he removed his shoes and toured the site in silence but did not participate in prayer, despite an invitation from the imam.
The Vatican initially described that Istanbul visit as including a “brief moment of silent prayer,” but later clarified that the Pope had chosen instead to treat it as a moment of listening and observation.
Pope Leo later said he prefers to pray in a Catholic church before the Blessed Sacrament, and said that his actions were not intended as a sign of disrespect toward Islam.
Leo also drew attention to Catholics who were killed by Muslims in Algeria while he visited the country yesterday evening. The pope mentioned Saint Charles de Foucauld and the 19 martyrs of Algeria, all of whom were killed for their faith, stating, "In the face of hatred and violence, they remained faithful to charity even to the point of sacrificing themselves alongside many other men and women."
