On his last full day in Africa, Pope Leo XIV travels to Bata, where he has a moving encounter with inmates in the city’s prison.
Penulis: rakam
On the last full day of his Apostolic Journey across Africa, Pope Leo celebrates Mass at the continent’s second-largest church, tells prisoners that “no one is excluded from God’s love”, and watches as the young people of Bata dance in the rain.
To the young people and families gathered at the Bata Stadium, Leo XIV, responding one by one to the testimonies presented for reflection, spoke about the value of effort and discipline in life and dignified work, the challenges faced by women in the workplace, the happiness found in giving oneself to God, and the exciting mission of being spouses and parents.
During his visit to Equatorial Guinea‘s coastal city of Bata, Pope Leo XIV honours the victims of a tragic explosion in a military base in 2021.
During his visit to Bata Prison in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV emphasised that no one is excluded from God’s love, calling for justice that restores dignity and supports rehabilitation, while encouraging inmates to believe in the possibility of change.
The Pope will preside over the Mass with the priestly ordinations on Sunday, April 26, which is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Two days earlier, there will be a prayer vigil at St. John Lateran.
One day after Pope Francis’ passing, Pope Leo XIV makes a special visit during his last full day in Equatorial Guinea to an educational institution in Mongomo named after the late pontiff which works to help young people develop technological skills.
On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Mongomo, and urges Christians to proclaim the Gospel and build a future of hope and reconciliation for their resource-rich land.
A musical oratorio marking the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death will be performed in Mdina, Malta, with proceeds supporting a Church-run home for persons in need.
Pope Leo XIV leaves Angola and arrives in Equatorial Guinea, kicking off the final leg of his intense Apostolic Journey in four African countries.
