Pope Leo has criticized the treatment of prisoners in Equatorial Guinea, ahead of a visit to a jail known for its dire conditions. He addressed the Central African nation during a Mass that drew around 100,000 attendees, including the country's long-serving leader, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Pope Leo expressed his solidarity with the poorest and the marginalized, saying, 'My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions.'
Equatorial Guinea is notorious for its poor human rights record, despite being oil-rich. The Pope is set to visit an infamous prison in Bata, where conditions are reported as being extremely harsh, according to Amnesty International.
During his message, Pope Leo urged the population to prioritize common good over private interests and to ensure that the country's natural wealth serves all citizens. He stated, 'The Creator has endowed you with great natural wealth. I urge you to work together so that it may be a blessing for all.' His remarks come amid accusations of government corruption and the diversion of oil revenues to benefit only a privileged elite.
Throughout his African tour, which included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola, Pope Leo has strongly condemned political tyrants and called for greater freedoms and respect for human dignity.
Equatorial Guinea is notorious for its poor human rights record, despite being oil-rich. The Pope is set to visit an infamous prison in Bata, where conditions are reported as being extremely harsh, according to Amnesty International.
During his message, Pope Leo urged the population to prioritize common good over private interests and to ensure that the country's natural wealth serves all citizens. He stated, 'The Creator has endowed you with great natural wealth. I urge you to work together so that it may be a blessing for all.' His remarks come amid accusations of government corruption and the diversion of oil revenues to benefit only a privileged elite.
Throughout his African tour, which included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola, Pope Leo has strongly condemned political tyrants and called for greater freedoms and respect for human dignity.
