THE POPE TO VISIT THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Photo by Miguel Angel Andjimi (Presidential Press Team)

The Head of State, S. E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, on Friday 23rd January, met with members of the Episcopal Conference. The purpose of this meeting has been to coordinate preparations for a historic occasion: the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Headed by Juan Domingo Beka Esono Ayang, President of the Episcopal Conference, the leaders of the National Catholic Church have visited the President not only to announce and confirm the arrival of Saint Father Leo XIV, but also to coordinate with the Head of State and Prime Minister, Manuel Osa Nsue, the preparations that entails such a big event.

Following this momentous announcement, the President has addressed the press to express his impressions about this double visit of the Pope: pastoral, as leader of the Church, and political, as head of state.

—«Equatorial Guinea is accustomed to receiving personalities, so it will mobilize the population to give it the apotheosic sense that the Holy Father deserves, to bring a good impression of the population and the name of Equatorial Guinea at the international level»—, has highlighted the maximum mandate of the nation.

For his part, the president of the Episcopal Conference has said that it is a moment of grace and joy for the people of Ecuato Guinean, who will again receive a pontiff after 44 years. Juan Domingo Beka Esono Ayang has equally urged the Catholic parish in general to prepare spiritually and to combine, with this announcement, three verbs: prepare, receive and live this pastoral visit of the Holy Headquarters.

As you will remember, on February 18, 1982, Pope John Paul II arrived for the first time in Equatorial Guinea, marking a milestone in the ecclesiastical history of the country. His arrival was a significant event, as he was the only Pope to visit Equatorial Guinea, and his aim was to "encourage the Christian people in loyalty to Christ and the Church." During his stay, the Pope met with the President of the Republic, S. E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and celebrated a mass in Bata, where the Eucharist was officiated. His visit brought a message of peace and reconciliation, and is considered a miracle for the country, which has evolved and thrived since then.

After his death, the Government and the Church of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea have always maintained very good relations with the Vatican; they have formally submitted the request to host another papal visit and have always worked under the spiritual umbrella of the successors of Saint John Paul II. In this sense, the Head of State has made successive trips to the Holy See, meeting with all the Popes after John Paul II.

In the year 2016, the presidential couple made, together with the Christian people, a pilgrimage to Rome and, as a result of these good relations, the Cathedral Basilica of Mongomo hosted, in the year 2017, the enthronement of three new bishops and two new dioceseses were erected: those of Mongomo and Good evening.

Following the election of Pope Leon XIV, the presidential couple also made a visit to greet and homage to the new pontiff, expressing in this sense the formal invitation that will soon bring him to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Therefore, after forty-four years, the people of Equatorial Guinea await and prepare with eagerness and excitement for the pastoral visit of the leader of the Universal Catholic Church, while the Government equally prepares to receive Leo XIV as Head of State of the Vatican.

Information from Deogracias Ekomo, with photos by Miguel Angel Andjimi (Presidential Press Team).

Press Department of PDGE