Pope Leo visits Equatorial Guinea

The Holy Father's visit to the tiny, authoritarian nation of Equatorial Guinea has drawn both adoring crowds and sharp political scrutiny.

Pope Leo urged the country's leadership to place itself in the service of 'law and justice,' a pointed message to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979.

The visit includes a stop at a notorious prison and a memorial service for victims of a deadly 2021 blast.

While many African Catholics have greeted the trip with joy, some critics fear the visit may inadvertently lend legitimacy to repressive regimes.