Sawt Falasteen - Pope Leo kicks off African tour under shadow of Trump's ire

Leo will become the first ever leader of the world's Catholics to visit the Muslim country of Algeria, where he aims to help "build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds," the Archbishop of Algiers Jean-Paul Vesco told AFP.

Yet just hours before he left Rome, at around 0700 GMT, Leo became the target of criticism from Trump, who railed against the pope's entreaties for an end to violence in the Iran war.

"I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo," Trump told reporters, accusing the pontiff of "toying with a country (Iran) that wants a nuclear weapon".

Trump later suggested cardinals only elected Leo pope in May 2025 because he was American, and a potential bridge to Washington -- before posting an AI-generated image seemingly depicting himself as Jesus Christ.

Leo had criticised as "unacceptable" Trump's threats against civilians in Iran, although he did not name the president, while he has also previously criticised the Trump administration's "inhuman" treatment of migrants.

- Personal significance -

Trump's comments risk overshadowing the Africa trip, which will take in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering more than 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) between April 13 and 23.

The pope's first stop on Monday will be the Algerian capital of Algiers, where he will meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, address diplomats and pay tribute to the victims of Algeria's 1954-1962 war of independence against France.

Already in Algiers ahead of the historic visit, the atmosphere of an imminent celebration pervaded the air, with walls repainted, roads repaved and green spaces adorned with plants and flowerpots.

The visit to Algeria is also infused with personal significance for the pope as the country was the home of Saint Augustine (354-430), whose spiritual legacy permeates his pontificate.

The influential Christian theologian laid the foundations for the 13th century Augustinian order to which Leo belongs, one based on communal living and service.

In his very first speech as pope, Leo presented himself as a "son" of Augustine, whose writings he often quotes. As head of the order, before becoming pope, the former Robert Francis Prevost twice visited Algeria.

On Tuesday, the pope will visit the northeastern city of Annaba -- formerly the ancient Roman city of Hippo -- the one-time home of the saint whose autobiographical "Confessions" is a seminal work within the Christian tradition.

Father Fred Wekesa, the rector of the Saint Augustine Basilica at Annaba where Leo will celebrate mass, said the pope's upcoming visit would give his small flock a "message of encouragement and solidarity".

- 'Capable of peace' -

Monday's itinerary also includes a visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers -- with the world's highest minaret -- and the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, overlooking the Bay of Algiers.

Leo plans to pray privately in the chapel dedicated to 19 priests and nuns murdered during Algeria's 1992-2002 civil war.

The pope will not, however, visit the Tibhirine monastery, whose monks were kidnapped and murdered in 1996, an event still shrouded in mystery.

Wekesa lamented shadows still cast by Algeria's bloody civil war, when 200,000 people were killed in the conflict between Islamists and security forces.

Although some people still viewed Algeria "through the lens of the 'dark years'," Leo's visit will allow the world to see "the hospitality and generosity of the Algerian people," said Wekesa.

"We are capable of living together in peace."

Although Algeria's constitution guarantees freedom of worship, subject to conditions, human rights groups say the repression of religious minorities is continuing.

Three human rights groups called on Leo last week to push the issue during his visit.

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F.Qawasmeh--SF-PST