Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday on a first-ever papal visit, calling for peace and the end of “neocolonial tendencies” in world affairs, while facing an extraordinary broadside by President Donald Trump over his criticism of the U.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday on the first-ever papal visit and called for peace in all nations to prevail, in a trip overshadowed by the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and an extraordinary broadside against Leo by President Donald Trump.

The war in Iran has put Algeria in an awkward position, as it balances its strategic alignment with Iran while also benefiting from soaring energy prices as a critical gas supplier to the West.

The rivalry between Morocco and Algeria extends to their air forces as well—with Morocco operating US equipment and Algeria maintaining a competing Russian-built fleet.