PAPAL DEPARTURE CEREMONY HELD FOR POPE LEO XIV, ENDING AFRICA VISIT
An official send-off ceremony was held at Malabo International Airport in Equatorial Guinea for Pope Leo XIV, marking the conclusion of his 11-day Apostolic Journey to Africa.
The papal visit, which began in Algeria, took him through Cameroon and Angola before ending in Equatorial Guinea on April 23, 2026. The journey has been described as his third Apostolic Journey abroad.
At the departure ceremony in Malabo, the Pope was honored with a colorful cultural display, reflecting the rich traditions of the host nation. Dignitaries, clergy, and the faithful gathered in large numbers to bid farewell, celebrating what many described as a historic visit.
Throughout his tour of the four nations, Pope Leo XIV consistently preached messages of peace, justice, and respect for human dignity. He encouraged authorities to uphold fairness and promote the common good, while also acknowledging the historical and future aspirations of the countries he visited. His outreach extended to prisoners, whom he visited and prayed for, underscoring his pastoral concern for all members of society.
Press Conference on Board the Papal Flight
While returning to Rome, the Pontiff held a press conference with journalists aboard the papal aircraft. He reaffirmed his mission to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples and addressed several global issues.
The Pope expressed deep concern for child victims of conflicts in Iran and Lebanon. He strongly condemned war and reiterated his opposition to the death penalty, emphasizing the need to respect international law and protect human life.
“As a pastor, I cannot be in favor of war,” he said, noting the devastating loss of life caused by conflicts. He described his African tour as an opportunity for meaningful encounters with the people of God.
Responding to questions, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that peaceful negotiation should always be preferred over war or forced regime change. On migration, he challenged wealthier nations to reflect on their role in addressing global inequality, while insisting that migrants must be treated with dignity and humanity.
Addressing questions on same-sex unions, he stated that the Holy See had already communicated its position to German bishops, reaffirming that the Church does not approve the blessing of homosexual couples.
Concluding the session, the Pope reiterated his firm stance on the sanctity of life:
“Human life must be respected and protected from conception to natural death,” he said, condemning all forms of unjust killing.
The press conference marked the close of his Apostolic Journey as he returned to Rome following his visit to the four African nations.
Anita Aryeh
DEPSOCOM, Accra
