Stories from Bata · Equatorial Guinea

Pope Leo has completed his visit to Africa, concluding a tour that included meetings with regional leaders. In Equatorial Guinea, approximately 30,000 faithful attended a final mass. During the visit, the Pope met with President Teodoro Obiang, who has held power since 1979. The Pope called for the expansion of civil liberties and criticized current prison conditions. A prison in the city of Bata broadcast a message of support to detainees during the visit. Pope Leo responded to criticisms from US President Donald Trump, who labeled the Pope as weak on foreign policy, by emphasizing that the Holy See maintains diplomatic ties with 184 states to promote international values.