Pope Leo on Wednesday criticized the treatment of prisoners in Equatorial Guinea, highlighting poor sanitary conditions and human rights concerns ahead of a planned visit to a notorious prison in Bata.
Addressing a Mass attended by about 100,000 people, including President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the Pope expressed concern for vulnerable groups, particularly inmates living in harsh conditions. He later urged authorities to prioritize the common good, reduce inequality and ensure national resources benefit the wider population.
The visit to Bata prison comes amid reports by Amnesty International of abuse, including routine beatings and cases of detainees disappearing without trace.
Equatorial Guinea, despite its oil wealth, faces widespread poverty and allegations of corruption. Watchdog Transparency International ranks it among the world’s most corrupt countries, while the World Bank estimates that over half the population lives in poverty.
The Pope also called for greater political freedom and respect for human dignity in a country where opposition activity is tightly restricted and media largely controlled by the state. His remarks form part of a broader African tour that has seen him speak out against governance failures, inequality and the exploitation of the continent’s resources.
Pope Leo left Equatorial Guinea this Thursday, April 23 bidding farewell to Africa, after an eleven-day stay.