Pope celebrates Mass in a mini-St. Peter’s in Africa

After a busy day in Malabo on Tuesday, the pontiff flew to mainland Equatorial Guinea for an equally intense day that took him from the east to the west of the country. His first stop was Mongomo, an oil city bordering Gabon.

The Pope joined the country's president and 100,000 Catholics there for Mass in an unusual cathedral: It was built as a miniature replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

A group of 800 Gabonese pilgrims traveled by bus to attend the event. Wearing yellow caps, they occupied the front rows of the square. "We too wanted to come and receive the Holy Father, who is our father as well. We never imagined we would one day be able to experience this exceptional moment; it’s something you only experience once in your life," Marie-Paule told I.Media.

Beside her stood 84-year-old Joseph, who made the journey despite suffering from dizzy spells. "I share the message of peace with the Pope because I’m a scout, and he also has the spirit of a scout," he noted, proud to stand up and cheer for the Successor of Peter.

In the crowd, Juan, a young resident of Mongomo—a small city of 7,000 inhabitants—explained that he came hoping the papal visit would bring harmony to his country. "And that things will get better," he added subtly. Further along under the colonnades, Ambrosio was also waiting for new developments for Equatorial Guinea, "and that our country can grow."

Upon his arrival at the basilica, Pope Leo XIV was welcomed with great fanfare, including flares in the colors of the Vatican and Equatorial Guinea. He launched a helium balloon rosary to the sky.

Before thousands of euphoric Equatorial Guineans, President Teodoro Obiang and his son, Vice President Teodorin Obiang, invited him to bless the cornerstone of the future church of Ciudad de la Paz, the country's new capital.

During his homily, the pontiff invited Catholics to embody their faith, “celebrated so joyfully,” by getting involved in charitable works and taking responsibility toward their neighbor. "What does this nation hunger for today?" he asked, before noting that its greatest hunger is for "a future imbued with hope that is capable of engendering a new sense of justice and producing fruits of peace and fraternity."

He encouraged them not to passively await this future, but rather be active agents of transformation of their land.

"The future of Equatorial Guinea depends upon your choices; it is entrusted to your sense of responsibility and to your shared commitment to safeguarding the life and dignity of every person," he emphasized to the predominantly Catholic population, which makes up about 75% of the country.

Referring to the “great natural wealth” of the territory, whose economy relies heavily on oil and gas exports, he urged citizens to "work together so that it may be a blessing for all." He also called on them to serve the common good rather than “private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged.” Equatorial Guinea is one of the countries with the highest inequality in the world: seven out of 10 people reportedly live on less than a dollar a day, while a few families share the nation's immense wealth.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who leads an authoritarian regime that has been in power since 1979. Speaking in his presence, the American pontiff prayed that there be "greater room for freedom." Calling once again for the dignity of the human person to always be safeguarded, he mentioned his concern for the poorest citizens and for families experiencing difficulty.

From the cathedral, the head of the Catholic Church also directed his thoughts to prisoners, who are "often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions." Amnesty International regularly denounces the mistreatment and torture inflicted on prisoners in the Central African country, as well as arbitrary detentions and a lack of fair trials.

Pope Leo XIV visited a prison in the city of Bata on Wednesday afternoon.

Finally, the 267th pope urged Equatorial Guinean Catholics to be “builders of a future of hope, carrying on the work begun by the missionaries 170 years ago," highlighting the anniversary of the country's first evangelization. “Africans, from now on, you are missionaries to yourselves,” he said, quoting the words of Pope St. Paul VI in 1969. He pointed out that this “demands effort and, at times, sacrifice.” Proclaiming the Gospel includes the risk that the Church may be persecuted, he also noted, but it must continue to proclaim the faith “fearlessly and joyfully.”

Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the city of Bata in the western part of mainland Equatorial Guinea. This is the final country on his African tour, which has taken him to Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola. Thursday around midday, he returns to Rome.