Pope Leo denounces mineral colonization

Pope Leo XIV's 11-day journey across Africa ended with a sharp critique of the exploitation of the continent's natural resources by foreign powers.

In Mongomo, the Pope urged the faithful to bridge the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged, particularly in oil-rich nations.

He also visited one of Equatorial Guinea's notorious prisons, drawing international attention to human rights abuses in the authoritarian state.

The tour, which also included stops in Algeria, Angola, and Cameroon, is seen as a defining moment in Leo's papacy and his relationship with the Global South.