Pope Leo Denounces African Prisons

Speaking before a crowd of 100,000 worshippers in Mongomo, the Pope warned against the 'lust for power' and the misuse of national wealth for private interests.

His visit to one of the Central African state's most closed-off detention facilities highlighted the plight of inmates in a nation frequently accused of abuses.

Some exiles feared the visit might legitimize the 47-year rule of President Teodoro Obiang, but the Pope's messages remained pointedly critical of inequality.

This tour has been characterized by the pontiff's resolve to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in advocating for the marginalized.