The new Pope, Leo XIV, is planning his first major papal trip to Africa, with a key stop in Algeria, the land of his spiritual mentor. This journey will have significant diplomatic and interreligious implications.

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems to want to adopt a more cautious approach than his predecessors when it comes to making statements on the fly, places often conducive to controversy (as was the case for Benedict XVI on AIDS or Francis on psychiatry for homosexual children).

While returning to Rome from Beirut, the head of the Catholic Church confirmed his hope of undertaking a "trip to Africa," potentially his next one, and specifically mentioned Algeria as a possible destination. Although he tempered the announcement by stating that "nothing is certain," his team is already working to define the other stages of this potential continental tour.

A Spiritual Pilgrimage and a Diplomatic Challenge

Algeria was not a random choice. The trip was officially motivated by Leo XIV's devotion to Saint Augustine , born in the 4th century in Thagaste (in the former Roman province of Algiers). Since the current pope himself came from the Augustinian order, it would be a true pilgrimage to the sources of his spirituality.

However, this trip could quickly take on a diplomatic dimension. Observers of Franco-Algerian relations suggest that the Pope might intervene on behalf of Christophe Gleizes , the Frenchman whose seven-year prison sentence was recently upheld on appeal in Tizi Ouzou. The Archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vesco, is said to have visited the journalist several times. If the trip is confirmed, Leo XIV could "put his finger between the tree and the bark," raising the possibility of a pardon.

The Rapprochement between Christians and Muslims

Beyond the spiritual and diplomatic aspects, the Algerian leg of the trip would be part of a stated desire to "continue the exchange on building bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds" .

Leo XIV emphasized the importance of Saint Augustine in this endeavor, stating that "the figure of Saint Augustine helps greatly to build a bridge because he is highly respected in Algeria as a son of the fatherland."

This approach is consistent with his recent travels. Before Beirut, he visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and participated in an interfaith meeting in Lebanon, which he described as "friendly." He told reporters that his recent discussions, including with Muslim figures, focused on "peace and respect for people of different religions."

The Pope also denounced the "fears" that are present "in Europe," often generated by those who oppose immigration and try to push back people from another country, another religion, or another ethnicity.

The question remains: what will be the extent of the public, or discreet, political engagement of this new pontiff whose actions are only just beginning to take shape?