From April 21-23, the Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Equatorial Guinea, on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of evangelization in the country, marked a historic moment for the Church and for the entire nation. Under the theme “Christ, light of Equatorial Guinea for a future of hope,” this visit was lived as a time of grace, communion and spiritual renewal for all the people of God.
As Vedruna Sisters, we live our mission in the Church through closeness, service and teamwork. In communion with the diocesan team, we develop our pastoral work from our parish and the different chapels in our neighborhood, accompanying not only the youth, but the entire Christian community.
A country in spiritual preparation
Before the arrival of the Holy Father, the entire nation was mobilized in a profound process of spiritual preparation. Christian communities, families, schools, universities and hospitals experienced intense days of prayer and catechesis. This preparation was aimed at preparing hearts to welcome the Successor of St. Peter with faith, respect and openness to God’s grace.
Prayer and reflection meetings were organized in various places to help the faithful understand the importance of this exceptional event. The Church invited everyone to live this visit not only as an external event, but as a true experience of faith and inner transformation.
During this time of preparation and experience of the Holy Father’s visit, we have felt more strongly the call to go out to meet people, to be present among the people and to share the faith in a simple, close and profound way. We have promoted spaces of encounter, listening and formation, where each person could feel welcomed and a living part of the Church.
In a special way, we have offered catechesis not only to young people, but also to adults, families and people who, in many cases, did not know well who the Pope is and what is his mission within the Church. With patience and dedication, we have tried to explain his role as successor of St. Peter, sign of unity and universal pastor, as well as to share some aspects of his life and his dedication to the service of the Gospel.
This process has not only been informative, but also profoundly formative and spiritual. It has allowed many to rediscover a sense of belonging to the Church, strengthen their faith and open their hearts to a more lively experience of ecclesial communion.
At the same time, we have worked so that the whole community – youth, families, adults and the elderly – could feel sensitized and prepared to welcome this great event. We have sought to awaken in everyone an attitude of openness, joy and commitment, understanding that the visit of the Holy Father is not only an external event, but an opportunity for interior and community renewal.
This journey has been marked by effort, dedication and also by moments of fatigue, due to the many meetings, gatherings and activities carried out. However, it has also been a time of grace, in which we have experienced the strength of working in communion and the joy of serving.
April 21 – Meeting with political and ecclesiastical authorities
The visit began on April 21 with a meeting between Pope Leo XIV, political authorities and ecclesial leaders. It was a moment of profound dialogue on the challenges of the country and the responsibility of each one in the construction of the common good.
The Holy Father recalled that authority is a service and not a power, and that it must always be exercised with justice, truth, honesty and a sense of the common good. He invited political leaders to work for social peace, national cohesion and the integral development of the human person.
He called on Church leaders to faithfully continue their mission of spiritual accompaniment, unity and proclamation of the Gospel, remaining close to the people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
Visit to the local prison and hospitals
After this official meeting, the Pope continued his pastoral visit in the local prison. This moment was a strong sign of closeness to the people deprived of their freedom. He recalled that every human person retains his or her dignity, even in guilt, and that society is called to promote forgiveness, reintegration and mercy.
Later, he visited several hospitals, where he met with the sick and the most vulnerable people. His presence was a moment of consolation, prayer and hope, manifesting the tenderness of the Church and the closeness of Christ to those who suffer.
Meeting with young people and families in the rain
One of the most significant moments of the visit was the meeting with the youth and families. Despite a heavy rain, the crowd remained with joy, faith and perseverance. This scene became a living sign of the spiritual vitality of the people.
Pope Leo XIV asked with simplicity if rain could stop joy, and the answer was clear: faith and hope were stronger than any difficulty. In his message, he encouraged young people not to be afraid of the future, but to build it on faith.
He recalled that young people are the living present of the Church, called to be courageous witnesses of Christ, builders of peace and bearers of hope in their families, schools and communities.
Addressing the families, the Holy Father elaborated on a message that has deeply touched hearts, recalling that the family is first and foremost a place of forgiveness. He stressed that there is no such thing as a perfect family, because there are no perfect people. Everyone is called to live together in the midst of weaknesses, wounds and differences.
He insisted that there is no healthy family without the practice of forgiveness. Forgiveness, he said, is the remedy for joy, the healing of the heart and the basis of true family life. Without it, the family becomes a place of conflict, while with it, it becomes a place of peace, life and growth.
The Holy Father recalled that holding grudges destroys interiorly, while forgiveness liberates, heals and restores peace. For this reason, he invited families to be spaces of welcome, support, love and reconciliation, where each member can feel valued and accompanied.
He also stressed that families are called to be a light in society, living true love, mutual respect and self-giving. In this sense, he stressed that the greatest joys are born of service and dedication, especially to those most in need.
He also urged society as a whole to promote a culture based on effort, work well done and responsibility, moving away from the search for easy success.
April 23 – Closing Eucharistic Celebration
On April 23, the visit concluded with a solemn Mass of thanksgiving, which brought together a multitude of the faithful from all over the country. It was the highlight of the visit, marked by prayer, faith and spiritual renewal.
This celebration was an opportunity to give thanks for 170 years of evangelization and to renew the missionary commitment of the entire Church in Equatorial Guinea.
A historic event for the nation
After these three days, the visit of Pope Leo XIV remained a historic event, leaving a deep impression on people’s hearts. It strengthened national unity, rekindled the faith of the people and opened a new horizon of hope for the future.
As Vedruna Sisters, we thank God for this experience with the people. We have been able to see that when the Church walks together in a spirit of collaboration and faith, it truly becomes a sign of hope for the world.
This experience encourages us to continue accompanying the community with renewed enthusiasm, helping each person to discover that he or she is an important part of the Church and that he or she is called to be a light in the midst of society.
Sr. Rosette Kazunga, ccv
