Pope Leo Visits Hippo Archeological Site in Annaba, Algeria

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Retracing the footsteps of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV visited the archaeological site of Hippo in the modern-day city of Annaba on Tuesday, April 14, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Algeria.

Ancient Hippo, or Hippo Regius, today Annaba, was an important coastal city and economic center of the Roman Empire. St. Augustine served as its Bishop from 396 until his death in 430 at the age of 75, as the city was under siege by the Vandals.

Today, several remains of the Roman city are preserved, such as a paved forum, a theatre, a market, baths, cisterns, and figurative mosaics. Similarly, Christian elements from that time have also been maintained, including the so-called Basilica Pacis—where St. Augustine carried out his ministry—and a baptistery.

Under stormy skies, Pope Leo was welcomed at the archeological site by a representative. In the distance, one could see the Basilica of St. Augustine—where later the Pope will preside at Mass—sitting on top of a hill.