Algeria is the country where Saint Augustine was born. In fact, the saint was very present in the gifts that the current president of the country gave to the Pope.
A quote from Saint Augustine in Arabic.
Few details emerged from the meeting, although for the Vatican, it was an important occasion to strengthen dialogue with a country where 99% of the population is Muslim.
The visit ended in none other than the Sistine Chapel, where the president could admire Michelangelo’s frescoes.
The country is also strengthening commercial ties with Italy. In fact, the President of Algeria met with Giorgia Meloni the day before. Relations between the two countries have improved significantly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
That invasion endangered the supply of natural gas to Europe, prompting the search for alternative sources, such as North Africa. Algeria has now become a new natural gas pipeline to the European continent. It is estimated that its trade relations with Italy may have doubled.
Recently, they have signed additional agreements on counterterrorism, migration control, and have also benefited from the so-called “Marshall Plan” that Italy is promoting in Africa in order to curb the wave of migrants and refugees, among other goals.
JRB
Trans. CRT
