Leo XIV's current visit to Algeria is (also) personal. In 2004, Father Prevost participated in a pilgrimage to mark the 1650th anniversary of Saint Augustine’s birth, reports IlGiornale.it on 13 April.
Due to security concerns, the group had been heavily escorted by police and had been restricted to a brief visit to Annaba (ancient Hippo). No broader travel inside Algeria was considered safe at the time.
They were strongly advised not to spend the night in Algeria, which is why they returned to Tunisia the same day.
Fr Prevost was dressed entirely in civilian clothes, as usual.
Returning now as Pope, he revisits those same places.
Picture: Conversation Nico Spuntoni, #newsJsaejrgunk