Malabo: Pope Leo XIV began Day 9 of his Apostolic Journey in Africa by arriving in Equatorial Guinea, marking the final leg of his visit across four nations.
He travelled from Angola after concluding his engagements there, where he had focused on strengthening the Church’s role in education, health care and evangelization through witness. His departure from Luanda was marked by a formal farewell before heading to Malabo.
During the flight, Pope reflected on the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis. He described him as a shepherd who remained close to the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. He also recalled his emphasis on mercy and fraternity, especially through the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, saying his legacy continues to guide the Church.
On arrival in Malabo, large crowds welcomed Pope with joy, showing the deep faith of the people. He then met President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and later addressed national leaders, diplomats and members of civil society.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV spoke strongly about global injustice linked to the exploitation of natural resources such as oil and minerals. He warned that economic interests and rapid technological growth should not come at the cost of human dignity, environmental protection and the rights of local communities. He also urged that religion should never be misused to justify violence or domination.
As part of his Day 9 programme, Pope met representatives from the cultural sector and inaugurated a new campus of the National University named in his honour. He described education as a powerful sign of hope, encouraging young people to seek truth and use knowledge to serve society.
Later, he visited the Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital, where he addressed the stigma surrounding mental illness and disability. He said every person is loved by God and deserves care and respect. He emphasized that true healing involves compassion, dignity and a holistic approach to care. His message was warmly received by patients and staff, who responded with joy.
Day 9 of Pope’s journey reflected his key themes of peace, human dignity and social responsibility, as he continued to call for a more just and compassionate world.