Italy and Algeria will promote sites linked to Augustine's life

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed on Wednesday (23) her desire to promote places associated with the life of Saint Augustine (354 AD - 430 AD) in her country and Algeria through a joint application to UNESCO.

The Italian head of government announced her intention in joint statements with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the occasion of the fifth intergovernmental summit between the two nations.

"It is a project on which we will commit to working with great care, not only for what it represents for our countries, but also for its symbolic value, especially considering that today the first Augustinian Pope in the history of the Church sits on the papal throne," Meloni said, adding that the idea also aims to "celebrate the ties" between Italy and Algeria.

Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli highlighted that the meeting was important for "developing a partnership model based on respect and mutual benefit."

"We are proud to promote, together with our Algerian friends, the figure and places associated with the life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, whose thought shaped the history of European religion and philosophy. This joint project will be one of the brightest symbols of the cultural partnership between Italy and Algeria," he commented.

A native of Tagaste, in what is now Souk Ahras, Algeria, Saint Augustine is one of the most important figures in the early centuries of Christianity. After his conversion, he lived a life of poverty, prayer, and study.