BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algerian Leader Pays Tribute to a Spiritual Giant Who Left a Profound Mark on Contemporary Human History
Algiers, Algeria | April 21st, 2025 — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his deepest condolences to the Holy See and Christians across the globe following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at dawn on Easter Monday, April 21, in Rome, after a protracted battle with respiratory illness. His passing was officially confirmed by Vatican authorities.
In a solemn message addressed to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who has been entrusted with managing the affairs of the Vatican during this period, President Tebboune conveyed Algeria’s profound sorrow at the loss of a towering figure in the modern spiritual and moral landscape. “With deep sorrow and emotion, I have received the painful news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed under God’s care following a courageous struggle with illness,” President Tebboune wrote.
“On this sorrowful occasion, I extend, on behalf of the Algerian people and government and in my own name, my heartfelt condolences and sincere expressions of sympathy to the Holy See, its esteemed institutions, and to Christians around the world,” the President continued. He hailed the late pontiff as “a great personality whose legacy will be inscribed in golden letters in the annals of our contemporary history.”
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, had just turned 88. He was elected the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, following the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Throughout his 12-year pontificate, he distinguished himself through his unwavering commitment to humility, interfaith dialogue, climate justice, and social equity.
His health had been in decline for some time. After being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, with what was initially diagnosed as bronchitis, medical examinations revealed a more serious case of pneumonia affecting both lungs. This led to multiple complications, including acute respiratory failure that necessitated a series of bronchoscopies to remove mucus buildup and alleviate bronchial spasms.
Despite a brief period of improvement and his return to the Vatican on March 23, Pope Francis continued to suffer from recurring respiratory distress. On Easter Sunday, the visibly weakened pontiff appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, determined to deliver his final “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the faithful. His faint voice and fragile appearance were met with both reverence and concern by millions watching around the world.
Vatican medical sources reported that between February 28 and March 3, the Pope experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, which ultimately overwhelmed his body despite intensive care. His physical decline over recent winters had already significantly curtailed his once tireless pace, marking the final chapter in the life of a spiritual leader who consistently placed service to humanity above his own well-being.
