Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to a community of Missionary Augustinian Sisters in Algiers, highlighting the enduring witness of faith and martyrdom during his apostolic journey to Algeria. The visit took place at the Welcome and Friendship Centre in the Bab El Oued district, where the Pope was warmly received by the small religious community.
During the encounter, the Pope paused in prayer with the sisters and met those continuing their mission of service, which includes education, hospitality, and outreach to the local population. The centre serves as a place of encounter, offering after-school programs, language courses, and workshops for women, reflecting the Church’s commitment to social support and intercultural dialogue.
A central moment of the visit was the remembrance of two Augustinian sisters, Sr. Esther Paniagua Alonso and Sr. Caridad Álvarez Martín, who were killed in 1994 during Algeria’s civil war. They are among the 19 Catholic martyrs of the country, whose lives the Pope described as a powerful testimony of faith lived “to the point of martyrdom.”
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that their witness continues to inspire the Church’s mission of peace, dignity, and respect for all people. He also encouraged the sisters to persevere in their work, noting that their presence remains a sign of hope and reconciliation in a society still marked by memories of conflict.
The visit formed part of the Pope’s broader message during his Algeria trip, centered on dialogue, coexistence, and the promotion of peace across religious and cultural divides.