Pope lays tribute to fallen Algerian rebels who fought for independence from France

Pope Leo has used his visit to Algiers to lay a tribute to Algerian rebels who died fighting for Algeria’s independence from France. The Pope, in full regalia, solemnly laid a wreath at the FLN (National Liberation Front) monument in the city:

The tribute is a pointed reminder to today’s neo-imperial powers of the will for freedom among oppressed and colonised people. It is one that is even more powerful from a Pope who is US-born – and one very much in line with the liberationist ideals of Leo’s predecessor Francis. More powerful still in the wake of Leo’s condemnation of US thief-in-chief Donald Trump for his arrogance, warmongering and delusions of divinity. And it is a welcome evolution in Leo’s political presence after a much less than auspicious start.

Commentator @thatkid1871 probably put it best:

After Francis died, I admit I did not predict that less than a year later we’d have a Chicago pope paying respect to FLN martyrs in full Roman regalia https://t.co/HiJU3JlMiJ

— Jay🚩🍺 (@ThatKid1871) April 15, 2026

As icing on the cake, Trump’s sidekick JD Vance was heckled this week as he tried to criticise the Pope for condemning Vance’s boss.

Featured image via the Canary