Pope Leo XIV is set to visit a prison notorious for its poor conditions in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, marking the penultimate day of his extensive tour of Africa, during which he has addressed major global and humanitarian issues.
The pontiff arrived in the oil-rich but deeply unequal nation on Tuesday, April 21, following previous stops in Algeria, Cameroon and Angola. As part of his itinerary, he will meet inmates at Bata prison, a facility widely criticised by human rights groups for severe overcrowding, poor sanitation and alleged mistreatment of detainees.
Beyond the prison visit, the pope is also scheduled to engage with families and young people at Bata’s stadium. He will further honour victims of the 2021 tragedy in the coastal city, where a fire triggered multiple explosions at a munitions depot, leaving over 100 people dead and about 600 others injured.
His visit will also take him to Mongomo, near the Gabonese border, where he is expected to celebrate Mass and visit a school.
Speaking on Tuesday at the start of his visit, Pope Leo XIV urged Equatorial Guinea to place itself “in the service of law and justice,” in what observers interpret as a pointed message in a country frequently criticised for human rights violations.
However, his remarks were more measured compared to earlier stages of his tour, where he openly condemned global injustice, criticised authoritarian leadership, and spoke against exploitation by powerful nations. His comments previously drew attention after a reported disagreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump over calls to end the Middle East conflict.
At 70, the pope faces a delicate task in Equatorial Guinea—supporting the Catholic faithful while avoiding perceived alignment with the long-standing government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the country since 1979.
Catholics make up about 80 per cent of the country’s population, a legacy of Spanish colonial rule. Despite significant oil wealth, much of the population continues to live in poverty, with critics pointing to a stark gap between the ruling elite and ordinary citizens.
During an event attended by Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the pope decried the widening inequality in the country. The vice president, widely known as Teodorin, has faced international scrutiny over his lavish lifestyle and past legal issues abroad.
The pope is expected to conclude his 11-day, 18,000-kilometre African tour on Thursday with an open-air Mass in the capital, Malabo, before returning to Rome.
