About Algeria:
A former French colony, Algeria (official name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria) is the largest country in Africa by land area and the 10th-largest in the world. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and shares land borders with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Morocco.
The majority (90%) of the population lives along the Mediterranean coast (the Tell Atlas region), while the Sahara Desert covers more than 80% of the country; with some of the most extreme landscapes on Earth (such as Hoggar Mountains, Tassili n’Ajjer rock art, a UNESCO World Heritage site).
Algeria’s economy is heavily hydrocarbon-dependent: it is the world’s 10th-largest natural gas exporter. Sonatrach (state-owned) is Africa’s largest company. Bgayet Béjaïa is the second biggest port in Algeria after Algiers, and the 6th largest on the Mediterranean Sea.
Efforts are under way to diversify: new mining projects (iron ore, phosphate, zinc), a renewable energy push (aiming for 27% renewables by 2035, with big solar projects as top priorities.
Over 99% of Algeria’s population is Muslim (Sunni Islam is the state religion), while the remaining less than 1% includes a small number of other religious groups like Christians, Jews, and Ahmadi Muslims. While the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and opinion, the state regulates religious practice and has laws against blasphemy and proselytizing to Muslims, with recent reports from the USCRIF highlighting concerns over religious freedom for minorities.
Catholic places of interest in Algeria:
Despite many years as a French colony, Catholicism in Algeria today is very small — out a population of about 47 million, there are 5,000-10,000 Catholics, roughly 0.01–0.02% of the total. These are mostly expatriates, students, and Sub-Saharan African migrants. However, the Church maintains a visible presence because of its historical role during the French colonial period (1830–1962), when hundreds of churches and cathedrals were built.
The Catholic Church in Algeria is organized into one archdiocese (Algiers) and three dioceses (Oran, Constantine, Laghouat-Ghardaïa). Sunday Masses are almost always in French; some parishes have occasional Masses in English or Spanish for African students. Churches are open to visitors, but modest dress is required, and photography rules vary (always ask).
Christmas Midnight Mass at Notre-Dame d’Afrique in Algiers and the Santa Cruz pilgrimage in Oran in May are the biggest public Catholic events.
Reports are that Pope Leo XIV is considering a trip to Algeria, possibly in 2026, though no official announcement has been made. A visit is considered likely due to the pontiff’s connection to Saint Augustine (Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian, the first pope from the Augustinian Order), Pope Leo frequently refers to Saint Augustine in his writings and public addresses . This potential trip in the footsteps of Saint Augustine is reportedly being explored and would be the first time a pope has visit Algeria in the modern era. A visit in 2026 would also mark the 30th anniversary of the assassination of the Tibhirine monks and Bishop Pierre Claverie.
Catholic places of interest in Algeria:
Algiers: Basilica of Our Lady of Africa (Notre-Dame d’Afrique); Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Alger; Saint-Charles Church (Borj El Kiffan)…..Serves eastern suburbs; Sainte-Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus (Bab El Oued neighborhood)
Annaba (Hippo) Basilique Saint-Augustin d’Hippone. Relic of Saint Augustine (bishop here 395–430 AD)
El Menia: Church of St Joseph and tomb of Saint Charles Foucauld
Ghardaïa (Sahara): Saint-Hubert Church. Serves expatriates and migrants in the Sahara
Laghouat: a small hall seating 80 people that also serves as the ‘Cathedral’
from time to time.
Tlemcen: Saint-Michel Church