Algeria: Pope Leo visits archeological site of Hippo where St Augustine lived

Site of Hippo Regius. Wiki image Carole Raddato

Source: Vatican Media

Returning to the lands walked by his spiritual father, Pope Leo XIV visited the archaeological site of Hippo in the modern-day city of Annaba on Tuesday, April 14, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria.

Ancient Hippo, or Hippo Regius, today Annaba, was an important coastal city and economic center of the Roman Empire. St Augustine served as its Bishop from 396 until his death in 430 at the age of 75, as the city was under siege by the Vandals.

Today, several remains of the Roman city are preserved, such as a paved forum, a theatre, a market, baths, cisterns, and figurative mosaics. Christian elements from that time have also been maintained, including the Basilica Pacis-where St. Augustine carried out his ministry-and a baptistery.

Under stormy skies, Pope Leo was welcomed at the archeological site by a representative. On a distance hilltop, one could see the Basilica of St Augustine where later the Pope would preside at Mass.

The Pope lay a wreath of flowers and paused to pray briefly. He then planted an olive tree and heard the choir from Annaba's Music Institute sing songs based on texts by St Augustine on peace and fraternity.

Although Pope Leo is the first Pope to visit Algeria, he mentioned in an address on April 13 to the country's authorities that he had already visited Annaba twice, in 2004 and 2013, "as a spiritual son of Saint Augustine."

"I am grateful for the mysterious plan of divine providence that has arranged for me to return here again as Successor of Peter," he said.

"Having the opportunity to visit the places associated with the life of St Augustine, where he was Bishop in the city of Hippo, now known as Annaba, is truly a blessing for me personally," he had said.

"I believe it is also a blessing for the Church and for the world, because we must always seek bridges to build peace and reconciliation."

Pope Leo XIV's next stop was a visit to a care home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Then he held a private meeting with members of the Augustinian Order at their Community House, before presiding over Mass at the Basilica of St Augustine.

Watch the Vatican Media video of the visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXQxSmBrO4Q