Pope Leo XIV has criticised rising anti-Muslim rhetoric, saying fears of Islam in Europe and the United States are often fueled by those opposed to immigration. Speaking to reporters aboard his flight at the end of his visit to Turkey and Lebanon, the 70-year-old pontiff highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation between Christians and Muslims.
“This visit to Lebanon shows that friendship and understanding between Muslims and Christians are possible,” he said. Sharing stories of communities helping one another, Leo described them as “lessons that remind us to be less fearful and more open.”
The US-born pope, who spent two decades as a missionary in Peru within the Augustinian order, has frequently spoken out against rising nationalism and exclusionary policies. He has called for an end to the inhuman treatment of migrants and urged the Catholic Church to break down barriers of race, class, and nationality.
Looking ahead, Pope Leo revealed plans for a potential trip to Africa in 2026. He expressed a personal hope to visit Algeria, retracing the life of Saint Augustine, the fifth-century North African saint, and reflecting his deep ties to the Augustinian order.
“Such a visit would allow us to continue building bridges between Christian and Muslim communities,” he said, emphasizing dialogue and understanding as central to the Church’s mission.
Wrapping up his first international trip as pope, Leo XIV stressed that fostering cooperation and challenging fear-driven narratives remain priorities for his leadership, both within and beyond the Church.
