Pope Leo XIV tells inmates 'you are not alone' during Equatorial Guinea prison visit, criticizing conditions and emphasizing justice.

Pope Leo XIV visited a prison in Equatorial Guinea, where he emphasized that inmates are not alone, voicing concern over dire conditions and human rights abuses. He stated, “You are not alone. Your families love you and are waiting for you”, signaling a call for compassion amidst suffering.

The Pope highlighted that incarceration should not solely be about punishment, arguing that “true justice seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities wounded by evil.” Amnesty International has reported that inmates in Bata prison face severe human rights violations, including routine beatings and unaccounted disappearances.

More than half of Equatoguineans live in poverty, and the nation has been labeled one of the world's most corrupt by Transparency International. The Pope urged citizens to prioritize the common good over personal interests, warning, “The future of the country depended on the people's choices”.

Reflecting on the conditions, he noted, “My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions”. His visit, linked to the government’s recent release of nearly 100 protesters, underscores the ongoing struggle for justice in a country marred by political oppression.

Pope Leo concluded by asserting that “may the dignity of the human person always be safeguarded”, underscoring the importance of freedom in a tightly controlled political landscape.

Pope Leo XIV visited inmates in Equatorial Guinea, reassuring them they are not alone and condemning the inhumane prison conditions, as rights groups criticized government abuses. His visit coincided with the release of nearly 100 individuals previously arrested in a crackdown on protests.