Pope Leo concludes a heated African tour and returns to Rome after controversial political messages.
Pope Leo leaves Equatorial Guinea for Rome
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
The Pope concluded Leo fourteenthThe first American Pope of the Vatican, a ten-day tour that included four countries AfricanBefore departing for Rome on Thursday, following a visit described as one of his most daring tours on the political and religious fronts.
The tour included countries including Algeria وCameroon وAngolaBefore concluding it in Equatorial GuineaHe held a large mass in the capital, Malabo, amid a large public turnout despite the heavy rain.
Powerful messages against tyranny and the global order
During the tour, Pope Leo sharply criticized what he described as the deterioration of the global order, warning of rising tyranny and wars, and denouncing what he considered violations of international law by global powers. He also warned of the influence of “great economic elites” on world peace.
In one of his sermons, the Pope said that the Christian message is based on “liberating man from the bondage of evil,” calling for living the faith in a spirit of joy and human solidarity.
Tensions with President Trump
The Pope's remarks sparked widespread controversy after he was attacked by the US president. Donald Trump Describing it as “horrible,” in a direct response to religious and political positions that addressed international conflicts, especially the American-Israeli war on Iran.
The Pope later responded, confirming that he would continue to express his views, explaining that his tour speeches were prepared in advance and were not aimed directly at Trump.
Large crowds and humanitarian messages
The final stop in Equatorial Guinea saw tens of thousands of people gather from the early hours of the morning, in a scene that reflected the great popularity of the Pope during his African tour, which focused on issues of social justice, poverty, and the rights of peoples.
The Pope is scheduled to leave on Thursday for Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, arriving before the evening, where he is expected to hold a press conference on board to assess the results of his African tour and respond to the controversy sparked by his recent remarks.
