Pope Leo warned on Tuesday that humanity’s future is being “tragically compromised” by ongoing wars and the erosion of international law, speaking during a visit to Equatorial Guinea as part of a four-nation tour of Africa.
The first U.S. pope, who has recently taken a more outspoken stance on global conflicts, also criticized what he described as the “colonization” of the world’s natural resources, saying competition over oil and minerals is fueling violent disputes.
Pope Leo XIV speaks during his visit to the “Jean Pierre Olie” psychiatric hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
“The destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements,” he said in a speech to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and other officials.
He added that “God does not want this,” warning against the use of religion to justify violence. “His holy Name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance or by discrimination. Above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV attends a meeting with the world of culture at the Leon XIV campus of the National University of Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Strong criticism of global leadership
During his Africa tour, Pope Leo has repeatedly criticized authoritarian rule, inequality, and global governance failures. Earlier in the trip, he warned that many people were being “exploited by authoritarians and defrauded by the rich.”
People attend a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Leon XIV campus of the National University of Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
The pontiff also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, during the journey, which has included stops across Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
His remarks have drawn attention internationally, including in the United States, where he has increasingly been seen as a vocal critic of the war and of political leaders invoking religious language in support of conflict.
Message in a politically sensitive setting
Pope Leo’s visit comes to Equatorial Guinea, a country led by President Obiang since 1979 and widely criticized by human rights groups, though the government denies allegations of abuses and corruption.
A girl reacts as he waits for Pope Leo XIV outside the “Jean Pierre Olie” psychiatric hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
More than 70% of the country’s population identifies as Catholic, giving the pope’s visit significant domestic resonance.
Human rights advocates have said the trip offers an opportunity to highlight governance and accountability concerns in the country.
Planned visits to detention site and blast memorial
During his visit, Pope Leo is expected to travel to a high-security detention center in the city of Bata, which rights groups say has held political prisoners for years without access to legal representation or family contact.
Pope Leo XIV attends an event at the “Jean Pierre Olie” psychiatric hospital in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
He is also scheduled to visit the site of a 2021 military barracks explosion that killed more than 100 people. The government attributed the incident to poor storage of ordnance, while activists have called for an independent investigation.
The visit is part of a 10-day Africa tour in which the pope has focused on themes of justice, dignity, and political responsibility.
