At around 13.10, Pope Leo XIV arrived by car at the Home for the Elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Annaba, Algeria.

Upon his arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by the Superior of the Community. In the meeting room, the approximately forty people receiving care, the sisters of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor and the staff of the home were gathered. Following the Superior’s welcome and testimonies from Archbishop Paul Desfarges, emeritus of Algiers, and a Muslim resident from Algeria, the Pope addressed those present. This was followed by an exchange of gifts and a song. At the end, the Holy Father greeted the elderly residents of the home individually, then walked, at around 13.30, to the House of the Augustinian Community, where he met the members of the Order and stayed for lunch with them.

The following is the greeting addressed by Pope Leo XIV to those present during his visit to the Home for the Elderly of the Little Sisters of the Poor:

Greeting of the Holy Father

Your Excellencies,
Dear Sisters in consecrated life,
Dear brothers and sisters,

Good morning! As-salamu alaykum!

Thank you for welcoming me into this home!  I am pleased to make this visit because God dwells here. Indeed, wherever there is love and service, God is there.

I thank the Little Sisters of the Poor together with the staff of this home.  Thank you, Mother Philomena, for your welcome.

Thank you, monsignor Desfarges, for your words, your touching words!  Having listened to you, and seeing your presence here amongst our elderly brothers and sisters, it is natural to praise God and give thanks to him.  Just as Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will” (Lk 10:21).

I thank Mr Salah Bouchemel for his testimony, which was so beautiful and comforting.  I think that the Lord, looking down from heaven upon a house like this, where people strive to live together in fraternity, would say, “There is hope!”  Yes, because God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies. But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant or the proud.  God’s heart is with the little ones, with the humble, and with them he builds up his Kingdom of love and peace day by day, just as you are striving to do here in your daily service, in your friendship and life together.

Thank you, dear sisters and brothers, for this gathering!  I will keep you in my prayers and I gladly impart my blessing.