Pope Visits Authoritarian State at the End of Africa Trip, Calls for Commitment to Rule of Law and Justice
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea nearing the end of his Africa trip, calling for the rule of law and justice in an authoritarian nation known for human rights abuses and severe wealth inequality.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 14:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 15:02 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 17:00 (25h 58m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Wire Report) Catholic Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea and will visit a prison notorious for its harsh conditions tomorrow. This is the penultimate day of his African tour, during which he has frequently expressed strong views on global issues.
According to AFP, the Pope arrived today in this oil-rich country plagued by severe wealth inequality, having previously visited Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.
Tomorrow, he will meet with inmates at the Bata prison. This prison has long been criticized by human rights experts for severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, and instances of prisoner abuse.
He will also meet with young people at a stadium in Bata, Equatorial Guinea's largest city and economic center, and pay tribute to the victims of a deadly 2021 accident. At that time, a fire triggered a series of explosions at a munitions depot, killing more than 100 people and injuring around 600.
Besides visiting Bata, the Pope will also travel to Mongomo to celebrate Mass and visit a school.
During his visit today, the Pope called on Equatorial Guinea to "commit to the rule of law and justice," which is particularly striking in this authoritarian country often accused of human rights violations.
Compared to his previous stops, his tone was more restrained. On earlier visits, the Pope lambasted "tyrants" plundering the world, condemned the "exploitation" by the rich and powerful, and exchanged rhetorical fire with US President Trump over calls to end the war in the Middle East.
The 70-year-old Pope has to walk a fine line in Equatorial Guinea, supporting the faithful on one hand, while not appearing to endorse the regime of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who at 83 has been in power since 1979, making him the world's longest-ruling non-royal head of state.
This coastal Central African nation of about 2 million people is approximately 80% Catholic, tied to its history of Spanish colonization.
According to the African Development Bank, the oil and gas industry accounts for 46% of Equatorial Guinea's economy and contributes over 90% of its exports.
However, Human Rights Watch points out that "massive oil revenues support the lavish lifestyles of a small elite surrounding the president, while the majority of the population continues to live in poverty."
The Pope will hold an open-air Mass in the capital, Malabo, on the 23rd, concluding his 11-day, 18,000-kilometer African journey before returning to Rome.
According to AFP, the Pope arrived today in this oil-rich country plagued by severe wealth inequality, having previously visited Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.
Tomorrow, he will meet with inmates at the Bata prison. This prison has long been criticized by human rights experts for severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, and instances of prisoner abuse.
He will also meet with young people at a stadium in Bata, Equatorial Guinea's largest city and economic center, and pay tribute to the victims of a deadly 2021 accident. At that time, a fire triggered a series of explosions at a munitions depot, killing more than 100 people and injuring around 600.
Besides visiting Bata, the Pope will also travel to Mongomo to celebrate Mass and visit a school.
During his visit today, the Pope called on Equatorial Guinea to "commit to the rule of law and justice," which is particularly striking in this authoritarian country often accused of human rights violations.
Compared to his previous stops, his tone was more restrained. On earlier visits, the Pope lambasted "tyrants" plundering the world, condemned the "exploitation" by the rich and powerful, and exchanged rhetorical fire with US President Trump over calls to end the war in the Middle East.
The 70-year-old Pope has to walk a fine line in Equatorial Guinea, supporting the faithful on one hand, while not appearing to endorse the regime of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who at 83 has been in power since 1979, making him the world's longest-ruling non-royal head of state.
This coastal Central African nation of about 2 million people is approximately 80% Catholic, tied to its history of Spanish colonization.
According to the African Development Bank, the oil and gas industry accounts for 46% of Equatorial Guinea's economy and contributes over 90% of its exports.
However, Human Rights Watch points out that "massive oil revenues support the lavish lifestyles of a small elite surrounding the president, while the majority of the population continues to live in poverty."
The Pope will hold an open-air Mass in the capital, Malabo, on the 23rd, concluding his 11-day, 18,000-kilometer African journey before returning to Rome.