Pope Leo XIV visits an elderly care home in Annaba, Algeria, urging humility and peace as he laments a world torn by war, injustice, and falsehood.
Newsroom (14/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV brought a quiet message of compassion and fraternity to the city of Annaba, the ancient site of Hippo where St. Augustine once shepherded his flock. After pausing at the archaeological remains of the historic Christian center, the Pontiff visited Ma Maison Care Home for the Elderly, a modest sanctuary run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, where faith and service intertwine in daily acts of tenderness.
Standing amid a small group of residents, the Pope reflected on the divine presence within humble settings. “God dwells here,” he told them warmly, “wherever there is love and service, God is there.” His words carried both solace and challenge—a reminder that sacredness does not demand grandeur but grows quietly in compassion.
The Pope’s visit was marked by an exchange that spoke volumes about interreligious fraternity. Salah Bouchemel, an elderly Algerian Muslim resident, offered greetings and gratitude, highlighting the community’s mutual respect across religious lines. In response, Pope Leo expressed deep appreciation, saying that God surely recognizes “the hope that lives in a place where people strive to live together in fraternity.”
Then his tone grew more solemn. “God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, and lies,” he lamented. “But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud.” Instead, he emphasized that divine grace dwells among “the little ones and the humble,” those who patiently build “His Kingdom of love and peace day by day” through simple acts of service and friendship. The Pope’s message resonated as both spiritual reflection and moral appeal in a world fractured by conflict and indifference.
Among the attendees was Archbishop Paul Desfarges, SJ, former Bishop of Constantine-Hippone, who now lives alongside the Little Sisters and their elderly charges. He described everyday gestures of care—such as a warm handshake—as quiet miracles that bridge hearts. The Pope, visibly moved, praised the archbishop’s witness and dedication, noting that such human warmth reflects the very essence of Christian charity.
Citing Jesus’ words from the Gospel of Luke (10:21), Pope Leo reminded the gathering that divine mysteries are often hidden from the wise and powerful, yet revealed to the simple and sincere. To commemorate his visit, he presented the residents and sisters with a mosaic of the Risen Christ by the late Albanian artist Josif Droboniku. Rendered in the Byzantine tradition, the piece bears a radiant Greek inscription: “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
A note accompanying the gift urged reflection: “Let oneself be illumined by the Risen Christ’s presence and carry, through charity and service, the reflection of His mercy wherever the human heart awaits consolation and hope.”
In Annaba, a city steeped in the legacy of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV’s words and gestures echoed that same timeless message: where humility thrives and hearts serve one another, there too dwells the presence of God.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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