From the capital of Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV began a day filled with symbolism and social messages by commemorating, first and foremost, the anniversary of the death of Pope Francis. During the flight, the pontiff reflected on his legacy, emphasizing in particular his closeness to the poor, the most vulnerable, children, women, and the elderly. He also highlighted two key themes that, he said, defined his pontificate: universal fraternity and the mercy of God.

The Pope recalled that Francis promoted fraternity, even through a document signed with the Muslim world, with the aim of fostering the recognition of all human beings as brothers and sisters with equal rights. The second major theme was mercy, present since the beginning of his pontificate and which led to the convocation of an extraordinary Holy Year dedicated to forgiveness.

Following these remarks, the Pope arrived in Equatorial Guinea, whose new administrative capital is the City of Peace. His first official act was a meeting with President Teodoro Obiang, who has been in power for 47 years. During his address to political authorities, the diplomatic corps, and civil society, the Pope delivered a strong message about the need for justice, peace, and policies centered on the common good.

The Pope warned that, in a world marked by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice. He also stressed the urgent need for new political visions and an educational pact that gives young people space and confidence. He insisted that the City of Peace should be understood as a gift aimed at the development of the country and the well-being of all.

The speech took on a particularly strong tone when addressing economic inequality. The Pope pointed out that Equatorial Guinea, despite being one of the world’s leading oil exporters and having one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa, concentrates wealth in the hands of a minority. He denounced the fact that 1% of the population owns the majority of the resources and warned that social exclusion is a new form of injustice.

He also linked armed conflicts to the exploitation of natural resources when agreements and the rights of the population are not respected. In that context, he recalled Pope Francis’s constant call against an economy of exclusion and inequality, and urged a return to the Church’s social doctrine as a guide for guaranteeing rights and justice.

In the afternoon, the Pope met with members of the academic community at Central University, where he inaugurated a campus that will bear his name. There, he listened to testimonies from students and professors and emphasized the importance of a free university, focused on the integral development of the individual and offering young people hope for building a dignified future.

The day concluded with a particularly moving moment at a Church-run psychiatric hospital, where nearly a hundred patients, many suffering from addiction, are treated. The Pope personally approached the patients, sharing gestures of closeness and compassion. In his message, he affirmed that in this place, “hidden poems” are composed each day, made up of small gestures and human relationships, fully known only to God.

The pontiff asked that his closeness be conveyed to all the sick, especially the most seriously ill and those suffering from loneliness, and extended his blessing to the healthcare staff and workers of the center.

The visit will continue with further trips within the country, including a Mass and a meeting with young people in the city of Bata, which will be attended by numerous faithful. This will be the Pope’s first major youth gathering during this tour, before his return to Rome.