Pope Leo led Mass before hundreds of faithful in the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba on Tuesday (April 14), as worshippers gathered to see the first American pontiff visit the birthplace of St. Augustine of Hippo.

Some in the crowd said the visit carried a message of hope for Christians, migrants and people across the region.

Earlier, Leo travelled to the nearby ruins of ancient Hippo, where Augustine developed ideas that shaped the Catholic Church’s doctrine on “just war,” arguing conflict must defend the innocent and aim to restore peace.

The visit comes as Leo faces criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump after condemning the Iran war launched by U.S.-Israeli strikes in February. Critics of the war, including Washington Cardinal Robert McElroy, have cited Augustine’s principles to call the conflict “morally illegitimate.”

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

POPE LEO VISITING THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF HIPPO REGIUS / LEO PLANTING TREE / LEO LEADING MASS IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BASILICA / SOUNDBITE FROM DEVOTEE

PLEASE NOTE: REFILING WITH IMPROVED VIDEO QUALITY.

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ANNABA, ALGERIA (APRIL 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF HIPPO REGIUS

2. POLICEMAN ON SITE

3. POPE LEO ARRIVING

4. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO LAYING WREATH AND PRAYING

5. VARIOUS OF LEO AND OFFICIALS PLANTING TREE

6. MEMBERS OF CLERGY

7. VARIOUS OF POPE LEAVING

8. SITE OF HIPPO REGIUS

9. BASILICA OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

10. VARIOUS OF FAITHFUL INSIDE BASILICA ATTENDING THE MASS

11. VARIOUS OF LEO LEADING MASS

12. WOMAN HOLDING A PICTURE OF THE BASILICA

13. CARDINALS

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRAZILIAN FAITHFUL, GIORDANO BARBOZA, SAYING:

"The presence of the Pope in Algeria is an outstanding event. I expect him to give a hope (hopeful) message for the Algerian people, for the Christians in general, especially Catholics, but for all the peoples who live and pass through this country, especially migrants."

15. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT MASS

16. POPE LEADING MASS

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FAITHFUL FROM UGANDA WHO STUDIES IN ALGERIA, SAYING:

"When the the news said that he will be visiting Algeria because he's an Augustinian Pope, so Algeria will be the first country he visits in all the African countries, so we were so glad."

18. VARIOUS OF MASS ONGOING

19. CANDLES