Pope visiting Equatorial Guinea prison in spotlight after US migrant deportations

Pope Leo XIV is visiting a notorious prison in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on his final day of an 11-day African tour. This visit highlights the country's documented human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and life-threatening prison conditions, which have been criticized by the UN, human rights groups, and the U.S. State Department. The Pope's visit to the prison in Bata, a port city, follows a tradition established by Pope Francis to offer hope to prisoners and draw attention to judicial injustices. The visit also comes at a time when the U.S. has begun deporting third-country migrants to Equatorial Guinea, adding another layer of scrutiny to the nation's human rights record. The Pope's agenda also includes a Mass and a moment of prayer at a memorial for victims of a 2021 explosion.