“Dearest Christians of Algeria, remain in this land as a humble and faithful sign of Christ's love. Bear witness to the Gospel with simple gestures, true relationships and a dialogue lived day by day; in this way you will give flavor and be light where you live”. These were the words of Leo XIV at the Holy Mass in Annaba, formerly Hippo, which marked the end of the Algerian leg of his journey. This Wednesday he leaves for Yaoundé (Cameroon), on a 5-hour flight.
“Your presence in the country,” he added, “brings to mind incense: an incandescent grain, which spreads perfume because it gives glory to the Lord and joy and comfort to so many brothers and sisters.
Visit to the archeological site of ancient Hippo
That incense is a small and precious element, which is not at the center of attention, but “invites us to direct our hearts to God, encouraging one another to persevere in the difficulties of the present time,” said the Pontiff, who on Tuesday visited, truly moved, the archaeological site of the ancient episcopal see of St. Augustine, his spiritual father, as he has said several times.
Due to bad weather and rains, the tour through the streets of Annaba was shortened, and the Pope planted an olive tree and laid a wreath of white and yellow roses before the ruins.
The Augustinian Pope recalled in his homily that “here the martyrs prayed, here St. Augustine loved his flock, seeking the truth with passion and serving Christ with ardent faith. Be heirs of this tradition, giving witness in fraternal charity to the freedom of the one who is born from on high as the hope of salvation for the world”.
Decades as Bishop of Hippo
The saint of Hippo, as is known, was born in Tagaste in 354, son of Patricius and St. Monica. And after his conversion to the Catholic faith, he was named Bishop of Hippo, He remained there until his death in 430.
The Pontiff precisely began his homily in the Basilica of St. Augustine, saying:
“Today we listen to the Gospel, good news for all times, in this basilica of Annaba, dedicated to St. Augustine, Bishop of ancient Hippo. Over the centuries, the places that welcome us have changed their names, but the saints have remained our patrons and faithful witnesses of a bond with the earth, which comes from heaven”.
Nicodemus: reborn from above, key to overcoming difficulties
This is precisely the dynamic that the Lord ignites in the night of Nicodemus, the Pope said immediately, this is the strength that Christ infuses into the weakness of his faith and the tenacity of his search.
Jesus is a special guest for Nicodemus. He calls him to a new life, giving his interlocutor and us a surprising task: ‘you must be reborn from above’ (v. 7), the Pope continued.
“Here is the invitation to every man and woman seeking salvation! From the call of Jesus flows the mission for the whole Church and, therefore, for the Christian community of Algeria: to be born again from above, that is, from God. In this perspective, faith overcomes earthly difficulties and the grace of the Lord makes the desert bloom”.
“Can our life really start over from scratch? Yes!”
So, when we ask ourselves how a future of justice and peace, of harmony and salvation is possible, the Pope said, “let us remember that we are asking God the same question as Nicodemus: can he really change our history? We are so burdened with problems, threats and tribulations! Can our life really start again from scratch? Yes!”.
For “the Crucified One carries all these burdens with us and for us. No matter how much our weaknesses discourage us; for it is precisely then that the power of God, who raised Christ from the dead to give life to the world, is manifested (cf. Rm 8:1),” the Successor of Peter stressed.
Before the Mass, in which the Pope was accompanied by several cardinals, bishops and Algerian families, the Pope had gone by car to the shelter of the Little Sisters of the Poor, where he was greeted by Mother Philomena, Archbishop Desfargues, and also by some Muslim residents.
The Church, motherly womb for all peoples
The Church is a motherly womb for all the peoples of the earth, the Pope stressed in the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba. “Together with you, brothers in the episcopate, and with you, priests, let us constantly renew this mission for the good of all those entrusted to us, so that the whole Church may be, in her service, a message of new life for those we encounter.”.
Tomorrow morning, the farewell ceremony will take place at Algiers airport, and the plane will take Leo XIV to the lands of Cameroon, ready for the Pope's embrace of hope.
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