During his Apostolic Journey to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV offered a moving reflection on suffering, peace, and the quiet power of charity while visiting the historic city of Annaba, home to the ancient see of Hippo where St. Augustine once served.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father spent time at the Ma Maison Care Home for the Elderly, operated by the Little Sisters of the Poor, where he encountered residents whose daily lives reflect service, humility, and fraternity. In this simple but profound setting, the Pope reminded those present that God’s presence is not distant, but alive wherever love is practiced.
“God dwells here,” the Pope said, emphasizing that “wherever there is love and service, God is there,” according to Vatican News.
The visit took on special significance as the Pope reflected on the state of the world, contrasting human suffering with the quiet witness of those who serve others. Speaking candidly, he said, “God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, and lies,” according to Vatican News. Yet even amid such brokenness, he pointed to where God’s presence can truly be found.
“But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud,” the Pope said, according to Vatican News.
Instead, he highlighted the dignity of the humble and those who build peace in small, faithful ways. “God’s heart is with the little ones and the humble,” he said, “and with them He builds up His Kingdom of love and peace day by day,” according to Vatican News.
The Pope’s message was not only theological but deeply pastoral, directed toward the everyday acts of care taking place within the home. He encouraged residents and caregivers alike, affirming that their service, friendship, and shared life are part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
The visit also underscored the importance of interreligious harmony. One resident, Salah Bouchemel, a Muslim, expressed gratitude for the spirit of mutual respect present in the home. The Pope responded by acknowledging the hope that flourishes in places where people live together in fraternity, according to Vatican News.
Pope Leo XIV was welcomed as well by Archbishop Paul Desfarges, SJ, who formerly served as Bishop of Constantine-Hippone and now resides with the community. The Archbishop praised the sisters and staff for what he described as daily acts of care that bring people closer together, even through small gestures like a handshake, according to Vatican News.
Drawing from the Gospel, the Pope recalled Christ’s words that God reveals His mysteries not to the powerful, but to the childlike in heart. This theme of humility and hidden holiness echoed throughout the visit, reinforcing the Church’s enduring teaching that greatness in God’s eyes is found in love and service.
Before departing, the Pope presented the community with a mosaic of the Risen Christ, a work rooted in the Byzantine tradition. The piece bears a missionary call to “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and serves as a reminder that the light of Christ is meant to be carried into the world through acts of mercy and compassion, according to Vatican News.
In a world marked by conflict and division, the Pope’s visit offered a powerful witness: that even in the smallest places, among the elderly and forgotten, the Kingdom of God is being built—quietly, faithfully, and with great love.
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