Pope Leo XIV begins final leg of African tour in Equatorial Guinea
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Pope Leo XIV is in Equatorial Guinea for the final stop of his African tour, where his human rights advocacy will be closely observed. This visit marks his first to the Central African nation, ruled since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the world's longest-serving head of state. Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich country with a population of two million, is 80 percent Catholic, a legacy of Spanish colonization. The Pope's tour has featured strong criticisms of tyranny and exploitation, and calls for peace. His engagements in Equatorial Guinea include addressing government officials, diplomats, and civil society representatives. He will also visit Mongomo, President Obiang's stronghold, to hold a mass and meet students. Additionally, the Pope plans to visit Bata to honor victims of a 2021 explosion and visit inmates at Bata prison. The visit will conclude with a large mass at Malabo stadium on Thursday.
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