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Many African Catholics have greeted Leo’s first visit with joy. Others fear he’s lent legitimacy to strongman leaders

On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea, concluding an 11-day tour of four African nations that included stops in Cameroon and Angola focused on peacebuilding efforts.
Critics argue the pontiff's visits to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea legitimize long-serving, authoritarian regimes, as both nations, led by President Paul Biya and Teodoro Obiang, face persistent allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
While the Pope drew approximately 130,000 attendees in Angola, his tour coincides with reports of unrest; in Cameroon, security forces reportedly killed at least 48 people during protests following Biya's recent re-election.
Human rights lawyer Tutu Alicante warned the visit could "legitimize an authoritarian kleptocracy," though the Vatican maintained that "meetings with civil authorities are routine on apostolic journeys," emphasizing engagement without political bias.
Pope Leo XIV has sought to downplay the perceived conflict, emphasizing that his tour focuses on peacebuilding and that he is not seeking to "debate" the presidents, despite the "bitter taste" for some critics.

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Many African Catholics have greeted Leo’s first visit with joy. Others fear he’s lent legitimacy to strongman leaders

Pope Leo XIV’s 11-day tour of four African nations has prompted wide excitement among the faithful on the continent – but also disquiet in some quarters.

1 day ago·Atlanta, United States

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