Pope Leo XIV on Monday began a landmark visit to Algeria in the first trip to the Muslim-majority country by a pontiff.
The US-born pope arrived in the capital Algiers at around 0900 GMT and was expected to pay tribute to victims of Algeria's war of independence from France (1954-1962).
Read moreLeo XIV makes history with first-ever papal visit to Algeria
His arrival was overshadowed by an escalating feud with US President Donald Trump, who lambasted the pope as "terrible" and "weak" in a rare public attack prompted by Leo's stance on the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane, Leo said he had "no intention to debate" with the US president.
"I am not a politician," the pontiff said. "The message is the same: to promote peace."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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