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Pope Leo XIV has begun the final leg of his African tour with a high-profile visit to Equatorial Guinea, where his growing calls for human rights, justice and freedom are expected to come under close scrutiny.
The pontiff will arrive on Tuesday after spending three days in Angola, continuing an 11-day journey across Africa that has already seen him adopt a firmer tone on issues such as tyranny, exploitation and peace. His stop in Equatorial Guinea is particularly significant, given the country’s reputation as one of the continent’s most restricted political environments.
The Central African nation has been ruled since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 83, making him the world’s longest-serving non-monarch head of state. International rights groups have repeatedly accused the government of repression, corruption, arbitrary detentions and limiting political freedoms. Many opposition figures and independent journalists have fled into exile, particularly to Spain.
Pope Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, who became the first pope to visit Equatorial Guinea four decades ago. Around 80 per cent of the country’s estimated two million citizens are Catholic, reflecting the lasting influence of Spanish colonial rule.
In Malabo, the former capital of Bioko Island, streets have been decorated with Vatican and national flags, while giant portraits of the pope and welcome banners have been displayed ahead of his arrival. Church choirs are also expected to perform a hymn composed in his honour throughout the visit.
Local resident Juan Raul described the moment as one of hope and unity.
“This will bring spiritual change and motivate many people to go to mass,” he said.
During his stay, Pope Leo XIV is expected to address President Obiang, members of government, diplomats, civil society groups and representatives of the cultural sector. On Wednesday, he will travel to Mongomo, the president’s political stronghold, where he will celebrate mass and visit a technology school named after Pope Francis.
The pope will later travel to Bata, the country’s economic capital, where he is due to honour victims of the 2021 military camp explosion that claimed more than 108 lives. He is also scheduled to visit inmates at Bata prison.
The African tour will conclude on Thursday with a major public mass at Malabo stadium, ending a demanding journey of more than 18,000 kilometres across the continent.
