Pope Leo XIV arrived in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, on April 21, 2026, marking the final leg of his first apostolic journey to Africa. The pontiff touched down at 11:31 a.m. Local time after departing Luanda, Angola, earlier that morning. His arrival was met with an official farewell ceremony alongside Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço before boarding the flight to Malabo.
During the visit, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the role of the Catholic Church in shaping the nation’s future, urging Christians to take responsibility for the country’s destiny. He highlighted the deep roots of Catholicism in Equatorial Guinea, where approximately 75 percent of the population is baptized and the Church remains central to education, healthcare, and social life.
The trip, which spanned from April 13 to 23, 2026, also included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola. In Equatorial Guinea, the pope met with local church leaders and reflected on the nation’s unique identity as the only African country with Spanish as an official language, a legacy of its colonial history.
His visit comes amid a long-standing political landscape, as Equatorial Guinea has been governed since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state. Pope Leo XIV’s presence marks only the second papal visit to the country, following Saint John Paul II’s trip in 1982.
Throughout the journey, the pontiff sent messages of gratitude to regional leaders, including those of the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon, underscoring the diplomatic and spiritual dimensions of the tour. The visit underscores the Vatican’s continued engagement with African nations where the Catholic Church plays a foundational role in public life.
