The atmosphere in Equatorial Guinea was absolutely electric, as the crowd ran and danced, excited for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, the last act of his trip to Africa.
The Pope encouraged the “Church on pilgrimage in Equatorial Guinea to continue with joy the mission of the first disciples of Jesus”.
Reading the Gospel together, “may you be passionate proclaimers, as was Philip the deacon. By celebrating the Eucharist together, may you bear witness with your lives to the faith that saves, so that the Word of God may become good bread for all”. It is precisely the love of the Lord that sustains our commitment, especially in the service of justice and solidarity, he stressed.
Condolences on the death of the vicar general
The Pope has expressed in the homily Fortunato Nsue Esono, whom he remembered during the Eucharist, expressed his condolences for the death, a few days ago, of the Vicar General of the diocese, Msgr.
“I invite you to live in a spirit of faith this moment of sorrow and I trust that, without being carried away by hasty comments or conclusions, full light will be shed on the circumstances of his death.”.
Farewell: “I take with me a priceless treasure of faith, hope and charity”.”
At the end of the Mass in Malabo, after the Archbishop's thanksgiving, and before giving the final blessing, Leo XIV passed on his legacy, on the 170th anniversary of the evangelization of the country.
Each of the phrases has been chanted and applauded by the crowd.
"The time has come to say goodbye after this 10-day trip to Africa. I thank the Archbishop, the other bishops, the priests and all of you, the People of God on pilgrimage in these lands”.
“Ye are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”
“Christ is the Light of Equatorial Guinea, and you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. My gratitude goes to the civil authorities of the country, and to all those who in various ways have contributed to the success of my visit”.
“I leave Africa taking with me a priceless treasure of faith, hope and charity. It is a great treasure, made up of stories, faces and testimonies, both joyful and suffering, which abundantly enrich my life and my ministry as the Successor of Peter”.
“As in the early centuries of the Church.”
“As in the first centuries of the Church,” Pope Leo stressed, ”today Africa is called to contribute significantly to the holiness and missionary character of the Christian people.
“I entrust this intention to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, to whom I heartily commend you, as well as your families, your communities, your nation, and all African peoples.”.
After the final blessing, the Holy Father left for the airport. The warm welcome of the people of Equatorial Guinea floated in the air. And the cheers for the Pope, who has thrown down the gauntlet to continue with joy the mission of the first disciples of Jesus.
Once again at Bata, his distinctly Christocentric message has surfaced, this time drawing on St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan who baptized St. Augustine.
“Christ is everything for us. In Him we find fullness of life and meaning. If you are oppressed by injustice, He is justice; if you are in need of help, He is strength; if you are afraid of death, He is life. If you desire heaven, He is the way; if you are in darkness, He is the light‘ (St. Ambrose, De Virginitate, 16,99).
With the Lord's company, Pope Leo remarked, “our problems do not disappear, but they are illuminated. Just as every cross finds redemption in Jesus, so in the Gospel the story of our life finds meaning”.
After a six-hour flight from Malabo, the Pope arrived in Rome in the evening of April 23.
————–
This article has been written with information from Courtney Mares, OSV News editor specializing in the Vatican, from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
————–
Español 
English 
Italiano