Pope Leo XIV Visits Prison in Equatorial Guinea, Tells Inmates 'You Are Not Alone'

Pope Leo XIV told inmates at one of Equatorial Guinea's notorious prisons on Wednesday that they are not alone, delivering a message of hope during a rare papal visit to the small African nation.

The prison visit was the final stop on the pope's Africa tour and drew attention to poor prison conditions and human rights abuses that advocacy groups have long criticized. Leo visited the prison after offering Mass earlier in the day at Africa's second-largest cathedral in Bata.

This marked the first time in 44 years that a pope has traveled to Equatorial Guinea, a tiny oil-rich country on Africa's west coast. The nation has been ruled by the same family for decades and is known for its poor human rights record.

The pope's visit brought international attention to prison conditions in a country where inmates often face harsh treatment and overcrowding. His message of hope resonated with prisoners who rarely receive high-profile visitors or global attention.