In his first public address in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV delivered a dense and committed speech on Monday in Malabo, focusing on the foundations of power, political responsibility, and contemporary development challenges.
Welcomed with honors by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in power since 1979, the pontiff called on the country to resolutely put itself "at the service of law and justice".
Addressing authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps gathered at the People's Palace, Leo XIV praised a "beloved people," while reminding them of the leaders' duty to embody the deep aspirations of their fellow citizens: liberty, dignity, and fairness. Following in the footsteps of John Paul II, who had visited the country more than forty years earlier, he emphasized that his mission was to "strengthen the faith and console a people undergoing rapid change."
A spiritual reading of politics
Drawing on the thought of Augustine of Hippo and his work *The City of God*, the Pope offered a reflection on the duality between the "earthly city" and the "heavenly city." Each individual, he explained, is called to orient their choices toward a society founded on love, justice, and peace. This vision, he clarified, does not offer a ready-made political program, but rather serves as an ethical compass for confronting contemporary upheavals.
Speaking of the new capital, Ciudad de la Paz, Leo XIV saw it as a symbol of hope, inviting the country to place its development in a perspective focused on the common good and reconciliation.
Denunciation of inequalities and the "economy of exclusion"
Following in the footsteps of Francis, whose memory he honored a year after his death, Leo XIV strongly criticized the imbalances of the global economic system. "Exclusion is the new face of social injustice," he insisted, denouncing an "economy of exclusion" where extreme poverty and widespread access to digital technologies coexist.
He also lamented that these innovations are too often used to serve belligerent interests, without any real benefit to the people. In a country where oil wealth represents the bulk of exports, but benefits only a minority, his remarks resonated particularly strongly.
Natural resources and conflicts: a direct critique
The Pope established a direct link between the exploitation of natural resources and the proliferation of armed conflicts. "The lust for mineral and oil wealth fuels wars in defiance of international law and the self-determination of peoples," he denounced.
In a national context marked by strong inequalities and recurring accusations of corruption, he pointed to the widening gap between a small elite and the majority of the population, calling for a more equitable management of wealth.
A delicate balance in a contested regime
This visit takes place in a country regularly criticized by NGOs for its human rights abuses and restrictions on civil liberties. Leo XIV must therefore strike a delicate balance: supporting a predominantly Catholic population without appearing to endorse an authoritarian regime.
On the ground, reactions range from hope to skepticism. Some residents see this visit as a "blessing," while others doubt its concrete impact on their living conditions.
Invitation to a new course
Faced with current challenges, Leo XIV advocated for "new visions" and an ambitious educational pact, particularly for young people. He called on Equatorial Guinea, which he described as a "young" nation, to forge an original path on the international stage, based on justice, peace, and respect for human dignity.
"In a world scarred by arrogance, people are hungry and thirsty for justice," he concluded, calling for courageous, unconventional policies focused on the common good rather than special interests.
