The longest apostolic journey of his pontificate begins — four African countries in eleven days.
Salvatore Cernuzio – from the papal plane
“Good morning everyone, welcome aboard!” – the Pope greeted journalists on the plane to Algiers with a smile. He was visibly pleased to begin his third international apostolic journey – to Africa. It is a long route, during which the Pope will pilgrimage until April 23, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Places to which – as he says – he will bring “the message of the Church, the message of the Gospel: blessed are the peacemakers.”
Such is the role of the Pope: not a “politician” – emphasized Leo XIV to about 70 journalists accompanying him on the journey, whom he greeted one by one an hour after takeoff during the flight to Algiers. This is a custom of all apostolic journeys, an opportunity to exchange gifts, and today also to comment – at the request of the journalists themselves – on the sharp remarks directed at him by United States President Donald Trump on the social media platform Truth.
The Pope on Trump’s words
“I do not see my role as that of a politician, I am not a politician, I do not want to engage in discussion with him,” Leo XIV noted, referring to the critical words of the President of the United States. “I do not believe that the message of the Gospel should be abused, as some do. I continue to speak out firmly against war, striving to promote peace, support dialogue and multilateralism among states in the search for solutions to problems. Too many people suffer today, too many innocents have been killed, and I believe someone must stand up and say that there is a better way.”
The message that the Bishop of Rome wishes to emphasize again, as he says, is “always the same: peace.”
“I say this to all world leaders, not just to him: let us try to end wars and promote peace and reconciliation,” said Leo XIV.
Responding to an American journalist who asked the same question, the Pope emphasized: “I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I will continue to speak loudly about the message of the Gospel, for which the Church works.” “We are not politicians – Leo XIV repeated – we do not look at foreign policy from the same perspective. But we believe in the message of the Gospel as peacemakers.”
A unique journey
It is precisely this peacemaking that is the main goal of the journey to Africa. As Leo XIV himself explains, “it was supposed to be the first journey of the pontificate.” “Already last May, I said that I would like to make the first journey to Africa. Others immediately suggested Algeria because of St. Augustine,” he adds, expressing joy at revisiting the land of St. Augustine, who constitutes a very important bridge in interreligious dialogue.
The opportunity to visit places connected with the life of the Bishop of Hippo, today’s Annaba, is – according to the Pope – “a blessing also for me personally, but also for the Church and for the world. Because we must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation.” In this sense, the apostolic journey – stated the Holy Father – truly constitutes a very important opportunity to continue speaking with the same voice, with the same message: we want to promote peace, reconciliation, respect, and recognition for all nations.
Gift from the Canary Islands
During the meeting with journalists, the Pope received many gifts: books, drawings, letters, and also a small icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel, venerated by the Order of St. Augustine, from which he originates. One of the most symbolic gifts was that given by the journalist from the Spanish station Radio Cope, Eva Fernández. It connects the journey to Africa with the visit to Spain planned for June.
Leo XIV, as is known, will visit the Canary Islands at the end of his trip to Spain from June 6-12.
Also related to Spain was another gift for the Pope: a replica of the finial of the St. Barnabas tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica – the only one completed during Gaudí’s lifetime, who wanted to ensure it was finished before his death to serve as a model for the other towers.
