Wednesday 28 January 2026
ZIM GBC NEWS | GLOBAL REPORT
Pope Leo XIV will embark on his first pastoral visit to Africa as Pontiff with a trip to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, officials confirmed this week. The journey, scheduled for the coming months, marks the first papal visit to the nation in over four decades.
The visit was jointly confirmed by the government of Equatorial Guinea and the country’s Catholic Bishop under the Episcopal Conference of Equatorial Guinea (CEGE). It forms part of a broader African itinerary that is also expected to include Angola, highlighting the Vatican’s focus on the continent’s Lusophone and Hispanic communities.
“This is a moment of profound grace and joy for the Catholic faithful in Equatorial Guinea,” said a spokesperson for CEGE.
“The Holy Father’s visit is a powerful confirmation of the vibrant faith of our local Church and a call to deeper evangelization and unity.”
A Nation with a Unique Catholic Identity
Equatorial Guinea holds a distinct position in Africa as the continent’s only Spanish-speaking country, a legacy of Spanish colonial rule which ended in 1968. It is also one of the most overwhelmingly Catholic nations in sub-Saharan Africa, with a deep-rooted religious identity.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has long expressed a desire to host a pontiff, welcomed the announcement.
“We are honoured to receive His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This visit strengthens the bonds of peace and shared values between the Holy See and our nation,” a statement from the presidency read.
A Return After 44 Years
The visit will be only the second by a Pope in the nation’s history. Saint John Paul II visited on February 18, 1982. Pope Leo XIV’s journey is seen as a significant moment for a local Church that, while historically rooted, has a relatively young hierarchical structure and continues to rely significantly on missionary congregations like the Claretians.
A Vatican analyst noted,
“Choosing Equatorial Guinea and Angola for his first African trip sends a clear message of engagement with the diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry of the continent. It is a pastoral and symbolic choice.”
The exact dates and detailed programme for the papal visit are expected to be released by the Vatican and local organizers in the coming weeks.
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