Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea on April 21, marking the final leg of his 11-day apostolic journey across Africa. This visit was deeply significant as it was only the second time a Pope had visited the nation, the first being St John Paul II in 1982.
The visit also fell on the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, whom Pope Leo XIV honoured throughout his trip.
Where he went
The Pope’s stay focused on the themes of justice, human dignity, and the “Civilisation of Love.” In a country marked by stark wealth inequality and a long-standing authoritarian government, the Pope balanced diplomatic grace with sharp moral challenges.
Meeting with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Presidential Palace in Malabo, the Pope used St. Augustine’s City of God to contrast a society built on “love of self” versus one built on “love of neighbour.”
He travelled to the mainland city of Bata to visit Bata Prison, where he addressed inmates directly, emphasising that their lives are not defined by their mistakes.
Speaking in Spanish, he addressed the prisoners’ sense of isolation:
“You are not alone. Your families love you and are waiting for you. Many people outside these walls are praying for you. If any of you fear being abandoned by everyone, know that God will never abandon you, and that the Church will stand by your side.”
In a separate homily at the Mongomo Basilica earlier that day, he made a rare, direct critique of the prison system’s physical environment:
“My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty, and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions.”
He visited the Jean-Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital to advocate for the vulnerable and prayed at a memorial for the victims of the 2021 Nkoantoma military base explosion, which killed over 100 people.
The pope inaugurated a new campus named in his honour at the National University of Equatorial Guinea, emphasising the role of the Church in forming “free and responsible consciences.”
What the pope said on his trip
On Governance and Power
“The earthly city is centred upon the proud love of self, on the lust for power and worldly glory that leads to destruction… It is essential to discern the difference between that which lasts and that which passes.”
On Economic Inequality
“Today we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills.” (Quoting Pope Francis)
To Inmates at Bata Prison
“You are not alone. Your families love you and are waiting for you… Life is not defined solely by one’s mistakes… a person who gets back up after falling is stronger than before.”
On Social Responsibility
“A truly great society is not one that hides its weaknesses, but one that surrounds them with love.”
On Justice and Resource Exploitation
“The proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples.”
On the “City of Peace” (Ciudad de la Paz)
“You have chosen to give [the new capital] a name that seems to echo the biblical city of Jerusalem… May such a decision prompt every person to ask themselves which city they wish to serve.”
- Pope Leo XIV Leaves a Legacy of Hope Across Africa - April 23, 2026
- Pope Leo in Angola: A defining moment in the papacy - April 21, 2026
- Liturgical Calendar Year A – Weekday Cycle Year II - April 20, 2026
