Pope Leo Warns of Humanity's Compromised Future

Pope Leo XIV warned on Tuesday that humanity's future risks being "tragically compromised" due to ongoing wars and exploitation of resources, during his speech in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This was the final leg of his four-nation Africa tour.

The pope criticized what he termed as the 'colonization' of Earth’s oil and mineral resources, asserting that this is driving bloody conflicts worldwide. He emphasized the need for political responsibility and respect for international agreements to avert this crisis.

Addressing Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and other political leaders, Pope Leo stated: "God does not want this." He further condemned the use of religion to justify violence or oppression. Earlier on his flight from Angola, he paid respects to his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Pope Leo's visit comes at a time when Equatorial Guinea faces criticism for human rights abuses and corruption under President Obiang's long-standing rule. The pope is expected to speak Spanish throughout his two-day visit in the former Portuguese and Spanish colony. He will also visit a high-security detention center in Bata, which Amnesty International has criticized as one of three notorious facilities where detainees are held for years without access to lawyers or their families.

Over 70% of Equatorial Guinea's population identifies as Catholic. The pope’s comments echo his recent outspoken stance against war and inequality, drawing the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump in recent weeks.