Malabo, Equatorial Guinea — Pope Leo XIV concluded his African tour with a scathing critique of the deplorable conditions within Equatorial Guinea’s prisons. During a Mass attended by over 100,000, including President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over the plight of prisoners, who are often forced to endure “troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions.”.
The pontiff’s remarks marked a rare public condemnation of human rights abuses in the oil-rich nation.
The Pope’s visit to Bata prison, infamous for its harsh conditions and overcrowding, followed a call from over 70 human rights organizations for him to address the issue. Equatorial Guinea, under President Obiang’s rule, has faced criticism for its poor human rights record and lack of press freedom.
The Pope’s comments have been welcomed by human rights advocates and have ignited a broader debate on governance and human rights in the region.
As the international community awaits the government’s response to the Pope’s call for reform, the implications of his visit remain a topic of intense scrutiny.
*Additional reporting by ImNews*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: BBC Africa
