On a rainy day that seemed to want to purify both the earth and memory, Pope Leo XIV undertook a deeply meaningful pilgrimage to the city of Annaba, ancient Hippo. This place, immortalized by the episcopal ministry of Saint Augustine, welcomed the successor of Peter with an embrace that unites centuries of history, faith, and service. The pontiff, elected in May 2025, chose to begin his Petrine ministry by recalling the deep roots of the Church, visiting not only ancient stones but especially the works of charity that continue to give life to the Gospel.
Hippo: Where History Still Speaks
Annaba, with its Arabic name meaning 'the city of mulberries,' holds in its subsoil and visible structures the echo of a past greatness. The Roman ruins—the forum, the theater, the baths—tell of a civilization that reached its peak here. But for Christians, the heart of this city beats in the Basilica Pacis, where Augustine, the Doctor of Grace, guided his flock through doctrinal storms and pastoral challenges. In this place, the Bishop of Hippo wrote immortal pages of Christian theology, reminding us that, as the Letter to the Hebrews states:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8).
Stones That Bear Witness
Walking through those places, Pope Leo could almost hear the echo of Augustine's words, who in this city fought the Donatist and Pelagian heresies, defending the universality of the Church and the necessity of grace. The stones of the baptistery attached to the basilica still speak of the sacrament that makes us reborn to new life, a theme dear to the pontiff who has often emphasized how
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" (Jn 3:16).
From Ancient Stones to Modern Works of Mercy
If the morning was dedicated to historical memory, the afternoon saw the pope move from the archaeology of faith to its contemporary incarnation. The visit to the 'Ma Maison' shelter, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, represented the natural culmination of the pilgrimage. In this place, where elderly Christians and Muslims find care, dignity, and fraternity together, the pontiff recognized the living face of the Church.
Where God Dwells
"I am glad because God dwells here," Pope Leo stated, reminding everyone that the divine presence manifests itself especially where love and selfless service reign. These words echo Jesus' mandate:
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:31).In the simplicity of a house that welcomes the fragile, without distinction of creed, that kingdom of God is realized—a kingdom made not of power but of service.
Testimonies That Build Up
During the meeting, the pontiff listened with emotion to the words of Bishop Desfarges and the testimony of Mr. Salah Bouchemel. The latter, likely a Muslim who collaborates with or benefits from the work of the Little Sisters, offered tangible proof of how charity overcomes every barrier. Pope Leo commented: "I think the Lord, from Heaven, seeing a house like this, where people seek to live together in fraternity, might think: so there is hope!"
God's Heart with the Little Ones
In a world torn by conflicts and injustices, these simple realities become prophetic signs. The pontiff recalled that God's heart "is with the little ones, with the humble, and with them he advances his Kingdom of love and peace, day by day." This statement finds its basis in the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5:3).
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