Pope Leo XIV has summed up his apostolic journey to Africa, at the outset of which was a visit to the brotherly nation of Algeria, with words conveying profound spiritual, humanitarian, and dialogical dimensions. He described the visit as a return to spiritual roots, particularly to the land of Saint Augustine, the religious order to which the Pope is affiliated, namely the Augustinian Order. He said that his presence in North Africa took him back to the era of the early Church Fathers, when Christianity flourished in those lands and formed a bridge with the ancient Christian heritage as well as with the African continent that is rich in its history, cultures, and peoples.
Yet, the Pope focused particularly on "the bridge with the Islamic world," considering this impression not a secondary matter in the Church's mission, but rather an essentially irreversible choice. Reflecting on Algeria, he said: "I received a welcome in which I saw respect and affection, and we were able to be in touch hand-in-hand, and show the world that it is possible to live together as brothers and sisters, even within different religions, when we acknowledge that we are all children of One Merciful Lord.
The term "building bridges" appeared to seem the defining theme at the outset of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, whose first anniversary of election as Pontiff is being marked. According to his point of view, the Islamic-Christian dialogue is neither merely a diplomatic activity nor a matter of protocol, but rather a journey deeply rooted in modern Church teaching being a path walked by his predecessors, namely Pope Francis, who signed “the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi, and he visited Jordan in 2014; Pope Benedict XVI, who visited Jordan in 2009 and delivered a historic address at the King Hussein Ibn Talal Mosque; and Saint John Paul II who is renowned for his famous his immortal saying: "Building bridges is better than building walls.
From this premise, the essence of religion is not merely a bridge connecting humanity to God through faith, prayer, and piety, but also a bridge of love, cooperation, and respect for others. This is what Pope Leo emphasized when he spoke of "enhancing" relations between Muslims and Christians, by not starting from scratch, because this journey stretches across the modern era, spanning decades, particularly since the issuance of Nostra Aetate Document 60 years ago, which initiated a new phase of Islamic-Christian dialogue built on affection, brotherhood, and cooperation. This anniversary was commemorated by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media at a conference held at the American University of Madaba.
These words coincide at a time when offences against religious symbols are recurring, and attempts to demolish bridges rather than build them continue to emerge. In Jerusalem, the world witnessed a settler’s assault on a French nun, knocking her to the ground and kicking her in a scene that shocked both humane and religious sensibilities. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli soldier desecrated the Holy Cross in the village of Debel, while criticism of His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi continues, despite widespread condemnations and international solidarity with him. Even in the United States, scathing criticism of the Pope persists, particularly from the American president as he recently accused him of endorsing nuclear armament to which the Pope responded calmly: “If someone criticizes me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully.”
These events are reminiscent that bridges may always be subject to attempts of destruction and dismantling, yet the true mission of believers remains to rebuild and strengthen them. In this respect, we recall the spontaneous gathering between Pope Leo and Imam of the Grand Mosque of Algiers Sheikh Mohammed Al-Mamoun Al-Qasimi al-Hasani where their conversation was not formal or ceremonial, but rather a dialogue between hearts that believe in God, respect others, and wishes to continue the path of building bridges rather than walls.
Greetings in this age to all those who build a bridge, and to all those who tear down a wall.
