Pope Leo criticized violations of international law by 'neocolonial' world powers in a forceful speech on Monday during an Africa tour, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
Pope Leo XIV speaks during a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the cultural centre of the Great Mosque Of Algiers (Djamaa El Djazair), Algiers, Algeria, April 13, 2026. Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Pope Leo criticized violations of international law by 'neocolonial' world powers in a forceful speech on Monday during an Africa tour, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
The first U.S. pope urged leaders in Algeria on the first day of a four-nation tour to build a society based on principles of justice and solidarity.
"Today, this is more urgent than ever in the face of continuous violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies," Leo said.
Reporting by Joshua McElwee
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The United Nations human rights chief warned on Monday that widening and intensifying violence in Sudan, as well as the rising use of drones, could lead to more death and displacement.
France and Algeria have taken a significant step toward normalising their bruised relationship, as French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo met Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday and agreed a roadmap to "intensify" bilateral cooperation, particularly in security and defence.
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