Pope Leo XIV today defended the Church's commitment "especially to the service of justice and solidarity," in a Mass celebrated at the Malabo stadium in Equatorial Guinea, on the last day of his trip to Africa.

“If you are oppressed by injustice, he [Christ] is justice. If you need help, he is strength. If you fear death, he is life.”.

The Pope spoke at the packed Malabo stadium, filled with 30 faithful, indicating to believers that in Christ they find "the fullness of life and meaning." Pope Leo XIV also lamented the existence of "an individualistic sadness that arises from a comfortable and avaricious heart, from the unhealthy pursuit of superficial pleasures and an isolated conscience."

During the Pope's visit to Equatorial Guinea, the rain didn't let up, but that didn't stop the inhabitants from taking to the streets to welcome him.

“When the inner life closes in on its own interests, there is no longer room for others, the poor are no longer welcome, the voice of God is no longer heard, and the sweet joy of his love is no longer enjoyed.”, said.

At the beginning of his homily, the Pope expressed his sorrow for the death, under mysterious circumstances four days ago, of Father Fortunato Nsue, parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Bisila in Paraíso and current vicar general of the Archdiocese of Malabo.

Pope Leo XIV requested clarification regarding the causes of his death, after some media outlets claimed he was assassinated. The celebration brought together thousands of faithful and marked the end of an 11-day journey that also included Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola.

Equatorial Guinea is officially a secular state, but the Catholic Church is at the heart of its political and social systems, where estimates indicate that at least 80% of the population is Catholic.

This country was one of the African nations that received millions of dollars in controversial agreements with the Trump administration to receive migrants deported from the United States to countries other than their countries of origin.

For his part, the Pope, the first of American nationality in history, has already criticized this deportation policy. Pope Leo XIV is the second Pope to visit Equatorial Guinea. The first was John Paul II, 44 years ago, whose trip is remembered in the country for its message of peace and reconciliation.

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