Malabo, EQUATORIAL GUINEA — Pope Leo XIV addressed political authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday.
In his first public speech since arriving for the final leg of his African tour, the Pontiff issued a stern warning against the pursuit of unjust wealth and the “lust for power” that leads to social destruction.
Following a welcome by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the Pope referenced the 1982 visit of Pope John Paul II, reminding leaders that they are the “symbolic centre” responsible for promoting the rights of every person.
Okay News reports that Leo XIV specifically focused on the moral implications of Equatorial Guinea’s project to build a new capital, Ciudad de la Paz (City of Peace), urging that political life must mirror the name by prioritizing the common good over “unjust wealth.”
The Pope identified “exclusion” as the modern face of social injustice, highlighting the global paradox where advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence coexist with a lack of basic needs such as food, housing, and dignified work. He echoed the late Pope Francis, who passed away exactly one year ago today, by stating, “thou shalt not to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills.”
His address also touched upon the environmental and humanitarian costs of resource exploitation. Pope Leo XIV warned that the extraction of oil and minerals often proceeds with “no regard for international law,” fueling armed conflicts and compromising the destiny of humanity. He called for a change in political direction that respects international institutions and protects public health and the rights of local communities.
Concluding his speech, the Pontiff appealed to the country’s youth, advocating for a “new educational pact” that empowers the younger generation to form free and responsible consciences. Following the event, the Pope signed the Book of Honor and prepared for his next engagement at the National University of Equatorial Guinea, where he is scheduled to meet representatives from the world of culture.
