Amidst Wealth Disparity in Equatorial Guinea, Pope's Visit Calls for Justice and Closing the Gap
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV called for the promotion of justice and the reduction of extreme wealth disparity. His presence highlights international concerns over the country's severe inequality, human rights abuses, and political corruption under its authoritarian regime.
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(Central News Agency, Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, 22nd, Comprehensive Foreign Broadcast) Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV today called on Equatorial Guinea to commit to promoting justice and narrowing the gap between the advantaged and the disadvantaged. His activities today have drawn external attention to the severe income inequality and human rights violations in this African nation.
According to the Associated Press, Pope Leo XIV held a mass today in Mongomo, an eastern city bordering Gabon. The area has seen massive development since Equatorial Guinea experienced an oil boom in the 1990s.
The current President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is a native of Mongomo. Having been in power for over 40 years, he has been accused of massive corruption and implementing an authoritarian regime. Although Mongomo lacks official government institutions, it has heavily benefited from government investments and infrastructure.
While more than half of Equatorial Guinea's population lives in poverty, the city of Mongomo boasts imposing architecture, gardens with gilded gates, an 18-hole golf course, and serves as the starting point for the country's only highway leading to the west coast city of Bata.
Attendees at Pope Leo XIV's mass included not only President Nguema and his wife but also their son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. A French court previously found that Mangue had embezzled millions of euros, handing him a suspended sentence and a fine, and ordering the seizure of his mansions and luxury cars in France.
Last year, the United States granted Mangue a brief exemption from U.S. corruption sanctions, allowing him to attend a United Nations (UN) gathering and visit other U.S. cities. Mangue also met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
The Vatican stated that an estimated 100,000 people attended today's mass.
Most attendees stood in the grand entranceway of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo. Modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the cathedral was consecrated in 2011.
Before the mass began, Pope Leo XIV greeted the crowds and the presidential family, and subsequently blessed a foundation stone that will be used to construct a cathedral in the new capital, "Ciudad de la Paz" (City of Peace).
During his homily, Pope Leo XIV called on all citizens to work together to build a society capable of nurturing a renewed sense of justice, where the space for freedom is broadened and human dignity is consistently upheld.
He also encouraged everyone, according to their respective roles, to commit to "serving the common good rather than private interests, and bridging the gap between the advantaged and the disadvantaged."
Pope Leo XIV will later travel to the port city of Bata to visit a prison facility, continuing the tradition of former Pope Francis.
During his tenure, Pope Francis viewed such visits as a priority, aiming to bring hope to inmates and remind them that the Church stands with them, while simultaneously highlighting judicial abuse, overcrowding, and other injustices.
According to the Associated Press, Pope Leo XIV held a mass today in Mongomo, an eastern city bordering Gabon. The area has seen massive development since Equatorial Guinea experienced an oil boom in the 1990s.
The current President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is a native of Mongomo. Having been in power for over 40 years, he has been accused of massive corruption and implementing an authoritarian regime. Although Mongomo lacks official government institutions, it has heavily benefited from government investments and infrastructure.
While more than half of Equatorial Guinea's population lives in poverty, the city of Mongomo boasts imposing architecture, gardens with gilded gates, an 18-hole golf course, and serves as the starting point for the country's only highway leading to the west coast city of Bata.
Attendees at Pope Leo XIV's mass included not only President Nguema and his wife but also their son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. A French court previously found that Mangue had embezzled millions of euros, handing him a suspended sentence and a fine, and ordering the seizure of his mansions and luxury cars in France.
Last year, the United States granted Mangue a brief exemption from U.S. corruption sanctions, allowing him to attend a United Nations (UN) gathering and visit other U.S. cities. Mangue also met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
The Vatican stated that an estimated 100,000 people attended today's mass.
Most attendees stood in the grand entranceway of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo. Modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the cathedral was consecrated in 2011.
Before the mass began, Pope Leo XIV greeted the crowds and the presidential family, and subsequently blessed a foundation stone that will be used to construct a cathedral in the new capital, "Ciudad de la Paz" (City of Peace).
During his homily, Pope Leo XIV called on all citizens to work together to build a society capable of nurturing a renewed sense of justice, where the space for freedom is broadened and human dignity is consistently upheld.
He also encouraged everyone, according to their respective roles, to commit to "serving the common good rather than private interests, and bridging the gap between the advantaged and the disadvantaged."
Pope Leo XIV will later travel to the port city of Bata to visit a prison facility, continuing the tradition of former Pope Francis.
During his tenure, Pope Francis viewed such visits as a priority, aiming to bring hope to inmates and remind them that the Church stands with them, while simultaneously highlighting judicial abuse, overcrowding, and other injustices.