Published: TUESDAY May 5, 2026: 'Minority Flock: Catholics In Algeria' by award winning ZUMA Press photo-journalist Sadak Souici: Islam is the state religion in Algeria, and while the constitution affirms freedom of conscience, non-Muslim worship is closely regulated. Algeria has roughly 45 million people but only a few thousand Catholics, often estimated at no more than 10,000, or 1% of the population. Pope Leo XIV's recent visit to Africa was a historic, 11-day apostolic journey and the first-ever papal visit to Algeria, where the pontiff strengthened Christian-Muslim ties, acknowledging Algeria's struggle for independence. Most Catholics are expatriates and indigenous Algerian Catholics are very few because conversion from Islam is both sensitive culturally and regulated. Yet, the Church maintains dioceses, parishes, and regular sacramental life, showing a qualitative rather than numerical impact. Welcome to 'Minority Flock: Catholics In Algeria'
© zReportage.com Issue #1039 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY May 5, 2026: 'Minority Flock: Catholics In Algeria' by award winning ZUMA Press photo-journalist Sadak Souici: Islam is the state religion in Algeria, and while the constitution affirms freedom of conscience, non-Muslim worship is closely regulated. Algeria has roughly 45 million people but only a few thousand Catholics, often estimated at no more than 10,000, or 1% of the population. Pope Leo XIV's recent visit to Africa was a historic, 11-day apostolic journey and the first-ever papal visit to Algeria, where the pontiff strengthened Christian-Muslim ties, acknowledging Algeria's struggle for independence. Most Catholics are expatriates and indigenous Algerian Catholics are very few because conversion from Islam is both sensitive culturally and regulated. Yet, the Church maintains dioceses, parishes, and regular sacramental life, showing a qualitative rather than numerical impact. Welcome to 'Minority Flock: Catholics In Algeria'

Father GUY stands behind the door of the Chapel of the Wisteria, where the symbol of Saint Charles de Foucauld is displayed the emblem of the Sacred Heart surmounted by a cross. Islam is the state religion in Algeria, and while the constitution affirms freedom of conscience, non-Muslim worship is closely regulated.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Father DAVIDE CARRARO, an Italian missionary, is the current Bishop of Oran, appointed by Pope Francis on 22 October 2023, inside the chapel of the Diocese of Oran. Algeria has roughly 45 million to 48 million people but only a few thousand Catholics, often estimated at no more than 10,000, a fraction of 1% of the population.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

A young Algerian rider with his horse in the Grand Bassin park in Tlemcen. Most Catholics are expatriates, sub-Saharan African students, migrant workers, diplomats, and religious; Indigenous Algerian Catholics are very few because conversion from Islam is both sensitive culturally and regulated legally.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

The Algerian flag flies over the Mediterranean sea at the ancient Santa Cruz Fort in Oran. Algeria has roughly 45 million to 48 million people but only a few thousand Catholics, often estimated at no more than 10,000, a fraction of 1% of the population.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Commercial activity is intensifying in downtown Oran during Ramadan, corresponding approximately to the 19th day of fasting, many Algerian Islamic families are taking advantage of the weekend to do their shopping in preparation for Eid al-Fitr.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

SLIMANE BOUHAFS, 59, a former soldier and police officer who converted to Protestantism. He has spent time in prison on two occasions because of his views. In particular, he was forcibly returned from Tunisia in 2021 despite having been granted asylum.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Father DAVIDE CARRARO, an Italian missionary, is the current Bishop of Oran, appointed by Pope Francis on 22 October 2023, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Santa Cruz, where he prepares to give a sermon.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

A nun listens to the prayer led by Father Paul Desfarges outside the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba during the Palm Sunday procession in Annaba.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

PAUL DESFARGES, former Archbishop of Algiers and former Bishop of Constantine and Oran, took part in the Palm Sunday procession at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

The Palm Sunday service celebrates Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and marks the start of Holy Week at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

ADAM, a 19-year-old sixth-former, and RACHA, a 20-year-old shop assistant, live in Bejaia. They have converted to Catholicism. Adam is suffering from his family's rejection after his conversion to Christianity. Islam is the state religion in Algeria, and while the constitution affirms freedom of conscience, non-Muslim worship is closely regulated. Non-Muslim communities must register places of worship, public proselytism is restricted, and conversion from Islam can bring serious social consequences.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Father PAUL DESFARGES kneels during the Palm Sunday service at Saint Augustines Basilica in Annaba. Because Catholics are so scattered, priests and religious often serve several communities at once, relying on close-knit, relational ministry more than big programs.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Father PAUL DESFARGES gives the host to a parishioner during Palm Sunday Mass in Annaba.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

JEAN-PAUL VESCO is the current Archbishop of Algiers. His career has been marked by a strong commitment to interfaith dialogue and brotherhood.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

IDRIS KHETTAL, a 61-year-old bricklayer reads scripture at a church in Bejaia. He initially converted to Protestantism before embracing Catholicism. Islam is the state religion in Algeria, and while the constitution affirms freedom of conscience, non-Muslim worship is closely regulated. Non-Muslim communities must register places of worship, public proselytism is restricted, and conversion from Islam can bring serious social consequences.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Sister LOURDES MIGUELEZ MATILLA at the local mission in Bab-el-Oued, Algiers. The Catholic Church in Algeria lives under a tightly regulated religious framework.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

Sister Lourdes Miguelez Matilla wears a medallion depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Baby Jesus, as well as another medallion bearing a photograph of Sisters Esther and Caridad, who were killed on 23 October 1994. The two Spanish Augustinian missionary nuns who were murdered in the Bab El Oued neighborhood of Algiers by armed Islamic terrorists while walking to attend Sunday Mass at a nearby chapel.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

The Augustinian Missionaries are dedicated to social and educational work in the Bab El Oued neighborhood, as well as teaching scripture to sub-Saharan migrants in Algiers.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

EUGENE LEHEMBRE is a French Catholic priest, a member of the Chemin Neuf community, and the prior of Tibhirine Monastery, near Medea, Algeria.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

The monks and nuns of Tibhirine Monastery pray in their Chapel. The Abbey of Our Lady of Atlas is a Catholic monastery of Trappists was inaugurated in 1938 and is close to Medea.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire

The Sanctuary of Santa Cruz was originally a chapel in Oran, built on the A'dour River below the Fort of Santa Cruz, named in honor of Our Lady of Salvation and renamed Our Lady of Santa Cruz. It is under the Diocese of Oran.
© Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire