Pope Leo XIV Leaves Equatorial Guinea, Concludes Eventful Africa Tour

Pope Leo XIV has departed Equatorial Guinea for Rome, bringing to an end his 11-day Apostolic Journey across four African countries.

The visit, which spanned nearly 18,000 kilometres, marked a notable shift in tone for the first American Pontiff, who adopted a more direct and outspoken approach in addressing issues such as global inequality and what he described as “neocolonial” power structures.

His final stop in Malabo drew tens of thousands of worshippers, many of whom gathered in heavy rain before dawn for an open-air Mass. In his concluding homily—his 25th speech of the tour—the Pope focused on themes of liberation, emphasizing that the Christian message calls for freedom from “the slavery of evil.”

Throughout his visits to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo repeatedly warned that the influence and decisions of the world’s wealthiest individuals pose a significant threat to global peace.

The tour was also marked by a public disagreement with former US President Donald Trump, who criticized the Pope ahead of the trip. The tension was linked to Leo’s stance against the ongoing US-Israeli military actions in Iran.

Addressing the issue earlier in the tour, the Pope clarified that his speeches had been prepared in advance and were not aimed at any individual. However, he maintained that he would continue to speak out against injustice, insisting he would not be deterred by political criticism.

With his return to Rome, the Vatican is expected to reflect on a tour that combined large public gatherings with strong political messaging, underscoring Pope Leo XIV’s evolving leadership style on the global stage.