Pope Leo said Wednesday that his visit to Africa offers a message of unity and peace “the world needs to hear” as he continues to face criticisms for his stance on the war in Iran from the President and the Vice President of the United States.
Speaking on board the papal plane from Algeria to Cameroon, Leo XIV pointed to his visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers, the largest in Africa, and to the birthplace of Saint Augustine of Hippo, a hugely influential Christian figure who inspired him to become a priest.
The first American pope said going to the mosque showed that while “we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in…