Artur Hanula
As Vatican News emphasizes, the speech at the Monument to the Algerian Martyrs, who died in the struggle for liberation from French colonialism, is the first point of the Holy Father’s pilgrimage to Algeria after the welcoming ceremony at the airport.
First papal visit to Algeria
The Pope began his speech with the words: „Peace be with you all!”. He also expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to visit the country, for the first time in history as Pope, although he had already visited twice as a religious.
Leo XIV recalled that the Algerian nation is strong and young, whose „hospitality and fraternity” he had already „had the opportunity to experience many times”. The Holy Father said that „in the Algerian heart, friendship, trust, and solidarity are not just words, but values that have meaning and give warmth and permanence to common life”.
Homage to the soul of the people of Algeria
Algeria is a country with a long history and rich traditions. „It is also a painful history, marked by periods of violence, which, however – precisely thanks to the nobility of spirit that characterizes you and which I feel alive even now and here – you have managed to overcome with courage and honesty,” the Pope emphasized. He added that „stopping at this Monument is a tribute to this history of Algeria and to the soul of the people who fought for the independence, dignity, and sovereignty of this state.”
Forgiveness and peace
The Pope’s words about peace resonated particularly strongly. „In this place, we recall that God desires peace for every nation – peace that is not merely the absence of conflict, but an expression of justice and dignity. And this peace, which allows us to face the future with a reconciled heart, is possible only through forgiveness,” said Leo XIV.
„The future belongs to men and women – people of peace. Ultimately, justice will always triumph over injustice, just as violence – despite appearances – will never have the last word,” added the Holy Father.
Together on the path of respect
The Pope indicated that on Algerian soil, „a place where cultures and religions meet, mutual respect is the path by which nations can journey together.”
Faith occupies a central place in this heritage, illuminating „people’s lives, supporting families, and inspiring the spirit of fraternity.” Love for God is the greatest wealth a nation can possess.
The Pope emphasized that the world needs „men and women full of faith, thirsty for justice and unity.” „Therefore, in the face of humanity yearning for fraternity and reconciliation, it is a great gift and a blessed commitment that we profess with all our might and always together are brothers and children of God!” stressed the Holy Father.
Do not seek fleeting riches
The Pope pointed out that the search for „fleeting, deceptive, and disappointing riches” often leads to the depravation of the human heart and gives rise to envy, rivalry, and conflicts.
„Jesus repeats the question he posed two thousand years ago: ‘What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’ This is a fundamental question for everyone, to which the deceased we honor here gave their answer: they lost their lives, but in another sense – they gave them out of love for their own people,” the Pope indicated at the Monument to the Martyrs.
Martyrs’ Monument „Maqam Echahid” – Polish accents
The Monument of Glory and Martyrdom in Algiers is a concrete structure 90 meters high. It depicts three joined palm leaves. It is dedicated to the fighters of the struggle for liberation from French colonialism. It was realized according to the design of Polish sculptor Marian Konieczny, and the implementation team included Poles. The monument was unveiled on July 5, 1982.
