Pope Leo Visits Equatorial Guinea

Adoring crowds lined the streets to greet the Pope in the port city of Bata, where he celebrated Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

His visit has drawn attention to human rights abuses in the country, particularly following the recent deportation of migrants from the United States.

Leo also paid tribute to the victims of a deadly 2021 explosion and visited one of the nation's most notorious prisons.

While many African Catholics have welcomed the visit, some critics fear it may lend legitimacy to the country's long-serving repressive regime.