The first day of Pope Leo XIV’s international apostolic journey to Africa concluded with an encounter with the Algerian community at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers. The meeting in the Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Africa concluded the first day of the journey to Africa.

“It is with profound joy and fatherly affection that I meet with you today, you whose discrete and precious presence in this land is marked by an ancient heritage and by luminous witnesses of the faith,” Pope Leo said after listening to several testimonies.

“Your community has deep roots indeed. You are the heirs of a host of witnesses who gave their lives, motivated by love for God and neighbour. “I am particularly reminded of the 19 men and women religious who were martyred in Algeria, choosing to stand alongside this people in its joys and sorrows. Their blood is a living seed that never ceases to bear fruit.”  Pope Leo on Monday afternoon received the embrace of the Algerian Catholic community, present despite heavy rain. At the opening of the meeting, the pope knelt in adoration in front of a tabernacle containing the Eucharist.

“You are also heirs to a still more ancient tradition, dating back to the early centuries of Christianity,” he said in a speech delivered in French. “In this land resounded the fervent voice of Augustine of Hippo, preceded by the testimony of his mother, St. Monica, and of other saints. Their memory shines as a call to be authentic signs of communion, dialogue, and peace today.”

“To all of you, dear friends, and to those who are not able to be present but are following this meeting from afar, “I express my gratitude for your daily commitment to manifest the maternal heart of the Church.” The pope invited those present to reflect on three essential aspects of Christian life. “First, prayer. We all need to pray. … Prayer unites, humanizes, strengthens, and purifies the heart. Through prayer, the Church in Algeria sows humanity, unity, strength, and purity, reaching places known only to the Lord”.

 Turning to charity Leo emphasized that mercy and service are not merely practical assistance but places of grace and mutual growth. “After all, it is precisely love for their brothers and sisters that inspired the witness of the martyrs we have commemorated. In the face of hatred and violence, they remained faithful to charity even to the point of sacrificing themselves alongside many other men and women, Christians and Muslims. They did so without ostentation or fanfare, with serenity and steadfastness, neither falling into presumption nor despair, for they knew the One in whom they had placed their trust.

 Addressing peace and unity, Pope Leo recalled that this was the central theme of his visit “In a world where division and wars sow pain and death among nations, in communities, and even within families, your experience of unity and peace is a compelling sign. Together, you spread fraternity and inspire a deep longing for communion and reconciliation with simplicity and humility.”

“A considerable part of this country’s territory is desert, and in the desert, no one can survive alone. The hostile environment dispels any presumptions of self‑sufficiency, reminding us that we need one another, and that we need God. “When we acknowledge our fragility, our hearts become open to supporting one another and to invoking the One who can grant what no human power can ensure: the profound reconciliation of hearts and, with it, true peace.”

Before reaching the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, Pope Leo XIV stopped at the Great Mosque of Algiers and earlier at the centre of hospitality and friendship of the Augustinian Missionary Sisters in Bab El Oued. There, the pope paid homage to the memory of several religious sisters of this community killed during the civil war in the 1990s. After praying with the sisters and listening to the words of their superior, Leo XIV recalled the martyrs as a precious presence in the land and as a sign of the heart of Augustinian life: witness, even unto martyrdom. “Your presence here means a great deal,” the Holy Father said, recalling a previous visit and highlighting the legacy of St. Augustine in the region: promoting respect for the dignity of every person and affirming that it is possible to live in peace while valuing differences. Before departing, he thanked the sisters and encouraged them to persevere, recalling that the feast of the 19 martyrs of Algeria falls on May 8 – the day of his election. (EWTN news)

President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media Sunday evening, calling the pontiff “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy post that appeared to be reacting to the Holy Fatherʼs recent appeals for peace and an end to war. In comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews shortly afterward, Trump said: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo.” He added: “He’s a very liberal person.”

Trump accused Leo of being soft on Iran and criticized the pope’s opposition to U.S. military operations. “I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the president wrote. He also criticized the pope for opposing the U.S. intervention in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro in January. Leo has not said Iran should possess nuclear weapons. He has called the U.S.-Israel war in Iran “unjust” and on April 7 called Trump’s threat to destroy an entire “civilization” in Iran ‘truly un acceptable’. Trump also claimed credit for Leo’s election to the papacy in May 2025, writing: “He wasn’t on any list to be pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American.”

 He added: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” The post on Truth Social came hours before Leo was scheduled to depart Monday for an 11-day trip to four African countries and one day after the pope presided over a globally broadcast prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he was “disheartened” by Trumpʼs public attack on Pope Leo XIV, defending the pontiff as the vicar of Christ who speaks for the Gospel and the care of souls. “I am disheartened that the president chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father,” Coakley said. “Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the pope a politician. He is the vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”

The president said he preferred the pope’s older brother, Louis Prevost, a Port Charlotte, Florida, resident who has described himself as a “MAGA type.” “I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA,” Trump wrote. Trump also criticized Leo for meeting April 9 with David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Barack Obama, calling Axelrod “a loser from the left.”

The Vatican has previously confirmed the audience but did not disclose what was discussed. Trump also posted an image that commentators said depicted him as Jesus Christ, wearing a biblical-style robe and laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while admirers look on and eagles and military jets fill the sky above an American flag.

The public clash comes after weeks of growing friction between the White House and Catholic leaders since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb 28.

 Pope Leo’s appeals for peace intensified over Holy Week, culminating in Saturday’s vigil, where he denounced a “delusion of omnipotence” and warned that “the holy name of God” was being “dragged into discourses of death.” At a special Mass for peace held in Washington on April 11, Cardinal Robert McElroy argued that the current war fails to meet the strict criteria of just war theory, particularly in light of civilian suffering and the risk of disproportionate harm. The Vatican has not yet publicly responded to Trumpʼs post. The pope is expected to arrive in Algiers on Monday. (EWTN news)

The vice president said Trump removed the AI-generated image because “a lot of people weren’t understanding his humour.

Vice President JD Vance on Monday defended President Donald Trumpʼs decision to post and later delete an AI-generated image that critics said depicted the president as Jesus Christ, calling it a joke that people misunderstood. “I think the president was posting a joke and, of course, he took it down because he recognized that a lot of people weren’t understanding his humour in that case,” Vance told publically. “I think the president of the United States likes to mix it up on social media,” Vance added. “And I actually think thatʼs one of the good things about this president, is that he is not filtered.” Earlier Monday, the president told reporters at the White House that the image depicted him as “a doctor” and “a Red Cross worker,” not as Jesus, as many understood it. He added: “Only the fake news could come up with that one.”

 “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with the Red Cross as a Red Cross worker there, which we support,” Trump said. The apparently AI-generated image, posted to Trumpʼs Truth Social account on Sunday evening on Orthodox Easter, showed the president in a white robe and red sash. Both hands emitted a golden light, with one resting on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed. The American flag, the Statue of Liberty, military jets and floating human figures in the sky filled the background. The post contained no caption. Trump shared the image shortly after publishing a series of posts attacking, calling the pontiff “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy” over his opposition to U.S. military operations in Iran. He now-deleted drew swift backlash from across the political spectrum, including from prominent conservative and Christian commentators who are typically supportive of the president. The post was deleted later on Monday.

Vance — a Catholic convert — also addressed the broader friction between the White House and the Vatican. “When it comes to the disagreements with the Vatican, look, weʼre going to have disagreements, from time to time,” Vance said. “I think itʼs a good thing actually that the pope is advocating for the things that he cares about.”

He added: “We can respect the pope. We certainly have a good relationship with the Vatican. But weʼre also going to disagree on substantive questions from time to time. I think thatʼs a totally reasonable thing. It isnʼt particularly newsworthy.”

Pope Leo XIV, speaking to journalists aboard the papal flight to Algiers on Monday, responded to the controversy: “I have no fear neither of the Trump administration nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,” The President of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, said he was “disheartened” by Trumpʼs remarks about the pope, calling Leo “the vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.” It is not the first time a Trump social media post depicting himself in religious imagery has caused controversy.

In May 2025, the president posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope shortly after the death of Pope Francis. That post drew condemnation from Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Vance at the time dismissed that controversy as well, saying he was “fine with people telling jokes.” (EWTN news)

Two college students in the United States have developed a new artificial intelligence platform inspired by Catholic teachings, aiming to offer a faith-based and responsible approach to technology.

The platform, called Acutis AI, was created by brothers Peter and Thomas Cooney, students at the University of Dallas and Baylor University. The initiative seeks to provide answers rooted in Catholic morality, helping users find guidance they can trust.

The developers said they were concerned that many existing AI platforms present morally sensitive issues in a neutral way that may not align with Church teachings. They also warned that such tools can lead to dependency, especially among young users who may become emotionally attached to AI companions.

To address these concerns, Acutis AI has been built using key Church documents, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Summa Theologica. The platform is designed to answer questions on faith and morals based on these sources, while general questions are handled through broader searches.

The platform also includes parental control features, allowing families to monitor usage, set time limits, and receive alerts about sensitive topics. This is intended to help parents guide their children in using technology responsibly.

The brothers believe artificial intelligence can be a helpful tool if used wisely, especially in education, such as creating study guides or quizzes. However, they stressed that AI should never replace critical thinking or real human relationships.

Inspired by Carlo Acutis, the project aims to show how technology can be used to serve faith and bring people closer to God.