Pope Leo visits Equatorial Guinea

In a historic trip to the authoritarian nation, Pope Leo XIV urged the government of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to place itself in the service of law and justice.

The 70-year-old pontiff traversed the country to visit multiple cities, drawing attention to human rights abuses that have been denounced by international campaigners for decades.

He also visited a notorious prison in the port city of Bata, a move that gained added significance following the recent U.S. deportation of third-country migrants to the country.

Throughout his tour, adoring crowds have lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the first pope to visit the region since 1982.