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Farewell Ceremony from Equatorial Guinea, Departure from Malabo and Telegram to the President of Equatorial Guinea

Farewell Ceremony from Equatorial Guinea

After presiding over Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV left Malabo Stadium at 12.00 local time, and transferred to Malabo International Airport for the farewell ceremony from Equatorial Guinea.

The Pontiff was welcomed President of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and his wife, Constancia Mangue de Obiang.

After the national anthems, Honour to the Flags, the passage of the Guard of Honour and the greeting of the respective delegations, Pope Leo XIV boarded an ITA A330-900neo and departed at 12.54 local time bound for Rome.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father is expected to land at Fiumicino International Airport at approximately 19.55.

 

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Immediately after departure, Pope Leo XIV sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea:

 

Telegram of the Holy Father

His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Ciudad de la Paz

As I leave Equatorial Guinea following my Apostolic Journey, please know that I am deeply grateful to Your Excellency, the local authorities and your fellow citizens for the generous welcome and warmth extended throughout my visit. I pray that Almighty God will bestow upon the country the blessings of unity and prosperity.

Leo PP. XIV

After taking leave of the Apostolic Nunciature at 9.00 local time, the Holy Father travelled by car to Malabo Stadium for the Holy Mass on Thursday of the third week of Easter.

At around 9.40, after touring among the faithful by popemobile, the Pope presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

After the introductory rites and the liturgy of the Word, the Holy Father delivered his homily.

At the end of Holy Mass, Archbishop Juan Nsue Edjang Mayé of Malabo spoke some words of gratitude.

The Pope returned to the sacristy and then transferred by car to Malabo International Airport for the farewell ceremony from Equatorial Guinea.

The following is the homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV during the Eucharistic celebration, and the words of thanks at the end of Holy Mass:

 

Homily of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

I would like to begin by warmly greeting the local Church of Malabo, along with its pastor. At the same time, I send heartfelt condolences to the entire Archdiocesan community, the brother priests and the family members of your recently deceased Vicar General, Father Fortunato Nsue Esono, whom we remember in this Eucharistic celebration.

I invite you to live this moment of sadness with a spirit of faith, and I trust that, without being swayed by speculation or rash conclusions, the circumstances surrounding his death will be fully clarified.

The readings we have just heard challenge us to ask whether we truly know how to interpret the passages of Scripture that were read today. This question is both serious and providential, because it prepares us to read together the book of history, that is, the pages of our own lives, which God continues to inspire with his wisdom.

When the deacon Philip approached a traveler who was returning from Jerusalem to Africa, he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ( Acts  8:30). The pilgrim, a eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia, replied immediately with humble wisdom: “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (v. 31). His question is not only a search for truth, but also an expression of openness and desire. Let us reflect on this man: he is wealthy, like his land, yet he is a slave. The wealth he administers is not his own: all he has is his labor, which benefits others. He is intelligent and cultured, as shown in both his work and prayer, but he is not fully free. This painful reality is marked even on his body: he is, in fact, a eunuch. He cannot bring forth life; all his vitality is placed at the service of a power that controls and rules over him.

Yet, as he returns to his homeland of Africa, which for him has become a place of servitude, the proclamation of the Gospel sets him free. The Word of God that he holds in his hands bears unexpected fruit in his life. Through his encounter with Philip, a witness of the crucified and risen Christ, the eunuch is transformed from a mere reader — a spectator — of Scripture into a protagonist in the very story that captivates him, because it now concerns him personally. The sacred text speaks to him, stirring within him a longing for truth. This African man thus enters into Scripture, which welcomes every reader who seeks to understand God’s word. He steps into salvation history, which embraces every man and woman, especially the oppressed, the marginalized and the least among us. The written word then becomes a lived reality: through Baptism, he is no longer a stranger, but becomes a child of God, our brother in faith. Though a slave and childless, he is reborn into a new and free life in the name of the Lord Jesus. And we speak of his salvation to this day, precisely as we read these Scriptures!

Like him, we too have become Christians through Baptism, receiving the same light, that is, the same faith through which we read the Word of God: to reflect on the prophecies, to pray the psalms, to study the Law and to proclaim the Gospel through our lives. All the texts of Scripture, in fact, reveal their true meaning in faith, because they were written and handed down to us through faith. Reading them, therefore, is always both a personal and an ecclesial act; it is never something done in isolation or in a merely mechanical way.

Together we read Scripture as the shared heritage of the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, who inspired its composition, and by Apostolic Tradition, which has preserved and transmitted it throughout the world. Like the eunuch, we too can come to understand the Word of God with the help of a guide who accompanies us on our journey of faith. Such was the case with the deacon Philip, who “began to speak, and starting with this scripture, proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus” (v. 35). The African pilgrim was reading a prophecy that was fulfilled for him, just as it is fulfilled for us today. The suffering servant spoken of by the prophet Isaiah (cf.  Is  53:7–8) is Jesus, whose passion, death and resurrection, redeem us from sin and death. He is the Word made flesh, in whom every word of God finds fulfillment; he reveals its original intention, full meaning and ultimate purpose.

As Christ himself said, “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God” ( Jn  6:46). In the Son, the Father himself reveals his glory: God makes himself seen, heard and touched. Through the actions of Jesus, the Redeemer, he brings to fulfilment what he has always done: giving life. He creates the world, saves it and loves it forever. Jesus reminded those who listened to him of a sign of this constant care: “Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness” (v. 49). He is referring to the experience of the Exodus: a journey of liberation from slavery that nonetheless turned into a grueling forty-year period of wandering. This delay occurred because the people did not believe in the Lord’s promise; they even longed for their life back in Egypt (cf.  Ex  16:3). Indeed, under the Pharaoh’s rule, they had food from the land; God, however, led them into the desert, where bread could come only from his providence. Manna, then, is a sign, a blessing and a promise that Jesus comes to fulfill. This ancient symbol now gives way to the sacrament of the new and eternal Covenant: the Eucharist — bread consecrated by the one who came down from heaven to become our nourishment. If those who ate the manna died (cf.  Jn  6:49), whoever eats this bread will live forever (cf. v. 51), because Christ is alive! He is the risen One, and he continues to give his life for us.

Through Jesus’ Passover, the definitive exodus, every people is set free from the slavery of evil. As we celebrate this saving mystery, the Lord calls us to make a decisive choice: “Whoever believes has eternal life” (v. 47). In Jesus, we are given an astonishing prospect: God gives himself for us. Do I trust that his love is stronger than my death? By deciding to believe in him, each of us chooses between inevitable despair and the hope that God offers. Our hunger for life and justice is then satisfied by Jesus’ words: “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (v. 51).

Thank you, Lord! We praise you and bless you, because you chose to become for us the Eucharist, the bread of eternal life, so that we might live forever. Dear friends, at this very moment, as we celebrate this sacrament of salvation, we can joyfully proclaim: Christ is everything for us! In him we find the fullness of life and meaning. “If you are oppressed by injustice, he is justice; if you are in need of help, he is strength; if you fear death, he is life; if you desire Heaven, he is the way; if you are in darkness, he is light” (Saint Ambrose,  De Virginitate , 16:99). Our problems do not disappear in the Lord’s presence, but they are illuminated. Just as every cross finds redemption in Jesus, so too the story of our lives finds its meaning in the Gospel. Therefore, today each of us can say: “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me” ( Ps  66:20). He always loves us first. His word is the Good News for us, and we have nothing greater to proclaim to the world. All of us are called to this evangelization from the moment of our Baptism, the sacrament of fraternal unity, the cleansing water of forgiveness and the source of hope. Through our witness, the proclamation of salvation is made visible in action, service and forgiveness — in a word, it becomes the Church!

As  Pope Francis  taught, “the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus” (Apostolic Exhortation  Evangelii Gaudium , 1). At the same time, when we share this joy, we also become more aware of the danger of “the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt” ( ibid. , 2). In the face of such closed attitudes, it is precisely the Lord’s love that sustains our efforts, especially in the service of justice and solidarity.

For this reason, I encourage all of you, as the living Church in Equatorial Guinea, to carry on the mission of Jesus’ first disciples with joy. As you read the Gospel together, proclaim it with passion, just as the deacon Philip did. And as you celebrate the Eucharist together, bear witness through your lives to the faith that saves, so that God’s word may become good leaven for all.

At 7.45 (local time), Pope Leo XIV transferred by car to Malabo International Airport, took leave of some local leaders and, at 8.10, departed on board a Boeing 777-200 bound for Mongomo, arriving at 9.10 local time.

Upon arrival at Mongomo International Airport, the Pope was welcomed by some local authorities, and then transferred by car to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, travelling the last section of the journey in an open-top car.

At 10.30 (local time), after touring among the faithful by popemobile, the Pope presided over Holy Mass on the Wednesday of the third week of Easter.

After the introductory rites and the liturgy of the Word, the Pope delivered his homily.

At the end of Holy Mass, Bishop Juan Domingo-Beka Esono Ayang of Mongomo addressed some words of gratitude to the Holy Father.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Pope blessed the first stone of the Cathedral of Ciudad de la Paz and proceeded on foot to the “Papa Francesco” Formation Centre for the subsequent visit to the Escuela Tecnologica.

The following is the homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV during the Holy Mass after the proclamation of the Gospel, and some impromptu words before the blessing:

 

Visit to the “ Escuela Tecnologica Papa Francesco ”

At 12.30 (local time), the Holy Father Leo XIV arrived at the “Papa Francesco” Formation Centre to visit the Escuela Tecnologica . Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by Bishop Juan Domingo-Beka Esono Ayang of Mongomo and by the secretary chancellor of the diocese. After a brief welcome greeting from the bishop, the Pontiff unveiled a commemorative plaque at the entrance and blessed the structure. The bishop of Mongomo then accompanied him on a brief visit to the formation centre.

The Holy Father then transferred by car to the archbishopric, where he lunched in private.

 

Words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV before Holy Mass

Homily of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV 

Words of the Holy Father before the final blessing

_____________________

Words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV before Holy Mass

Good morning. I warmly greet all of you and I thank you for your presence. How beautiful it is to be gathered together to praise the Lord, to give thanks for his gifts, and to receive his blessing!

It is a day blessed by the Lord. Now, at this moment, in the presence of all of you, we wish to ask for a blessing upon each of you and your families: we will do so during the celebration of Holy Mass. But now we wish to invoke the Lord’s blessing upon this cornerstone, which has been brought here and will be used to begin the construction of the future cathedral or church of the City of Peace.

We want to renew our faith; we want to renew our commitment to follow Jesus Christ faithfully in his Church — the Catholic Church. Let us all remain united together forever in the Catholic Church!

And so, let us ask for the Lord’s blessing.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pour out your blessing, Lord, upon all your people, especially today upon this stone that represents the strength of faith, the strength that unites us, the strength that makes us brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ and sons and daughters of the one God.

May God bless you on this day, may he bless this stone, may he help us to always be united in the love of the Lord: he who has created us, he who has made us his children, he who accompanies us always.

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon this stone and upon all of you forever.

_____________________

Homily of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV  

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are gathered in this magnificent Cathedral Basilica, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, Mother of the Incarnate Word and Patroness of Equatorial Guinea, to listen to the Lord’s word and to celebrate the memorial that he has left us as the source and summit of the Church’s life and mission. The Eucharist truly contains every spiritual good of the Church: it is Christ, our Passover, who gives himself to us, he is the living Bread that nourishes us. His presence in the Eucharist reveals God’s infinite love for the entire human family and the way he encounters every woman and every man even today.

I am pleased to be able to celebrate with you and give thanks to the Lord for these 170 years of evangelization in Equatorial Guinea. It is a fitting occasion to recall all the good that the Lord has done, and at the same time, I wish to express my gratitude to the many missionaries, diocesan priests, catechists and lay faithful who have devoted their lives in service to the Gospel.

They have taken up the aspirations, questions and wounds of your people, and illuminated them with the Lord’s word, becoming themselves a sign of God’s love among you. Through the example of their lives, they have played their part in bringing about the Kingdom of God, unafraid of suffering for their fidelity to Christ.

It is a history that you must never forget. On the one hand, it links you to the universal and apostolic Church that came before you. On the other, it has made you protagonists in proclaiming the Gospel and bearing witness to the faith, fulfilling the prophetic words spoken by Pope  Saint Paul VI  on African soil: “Africans, from now on, you are missionaries to yourselves. The Church of Christ is well and truly planted in this blessed soil” ( Homily at the Conclusion of the Symposium Organized by the Bishops of Africa , Kampala, Uganda 31 July 1969).

With this in mind, you are called upon today to follow in the footsteps of the missionaries, pastors and laypeople who have gone before you. Each and every one of you is invited to make a personal commitment that encompasses your entire life, so that the faith — celebrated so joyfully in your communities and in your liturgies — may also nourish your charitable works and the sense of responsibility toward your neighbor, for building up the common good.

Such a commitment requires perseverance; it demands effort and, at times, sacrifice. Yet it is the sign that we are truly the Church of Christ. In fact, the first reading we heard narrates in just a few verses how a Church that fearlessly and joyfully proclaims the Gospel is also a Church that, precisely for this reason, may be persecuted (cf.  Acts  8:1–8). Nevertheless, the Acts of the Apostles tells us that, while Christians were forced to flee and were scattered, many drew near to the word of the Lord and could see with their own eyes how those who were sick in body and spirit were healed: these were the miraculous signs of God’s presence, which brought great joy to the whole city (cf. vv. 6–8).

Brothers and sisters, even when faced with personal, family and social situations that are not always favorable, we can trust that the Lord is at work, making the good seed of his Kingdom grow in ways unknown to us, including when everything around us seems barren, and even in moments of darkness. With such confidence, rooted in the power of his love rather than in our own merits, we are called to remain faithful to the Gospel, to proclaim it, to live it fully and to bear witness to it with joy. God will not fail to provide signs of his presence, and just as Jesus told us in the Gospel we heard, he once again will be for us “the bread of life” that satisfies our hunger (cf.  Jn  6:35).

What is the hunger we feel? And what does this nation hunger for today? The motto chosen for my visit is “Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, Towards a Future of Hope.” Perhaps this is precisely the greatest hunger today. There is hunger for a future imbued with hope that is capable of engendering a new sense of justice and producing fruits of peace and fraternity. This is not an unknown future that we must passively await, but rather one that we ourselves are called to build with God’s grace. The future of Equatorial Guinea depends upon your choices; it is entrusted to your sense of responsibility and to your shared commitment to safeguarding the life and dignity of every person.

It is therefore necessary for all the baptized to feel that they are part of the work of evangelization, and so become apostles of charity and witnesses to a new humanity.

It is a matter of taking part, with the light and strength of the Gospel, in the integral development of this land, in its renewal and in its transformation. The Creator has endowed you with great natural wealth: I urge you to work together so that it may be a blessing for all. May the Lord help you to become a society in which everyone, each according to their respective responsibilities, works ever more fully to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged. May there be greater room for freedom, and may the dignity of the human person always be safeguarded. My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions.

Brothers and sisters, there is a need for Christians to take the destiny of Equatorial Guinea into their own hands. For this reason, I would like to encourage you: do not be afraid to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to it with your lives! Be builders of a future of hope, peace and reconciliation, carrying on the work begun by the missionaries 170 years ago.

May the Immaculate Virgin Mary be with you on this journey. May she intercede for you and help you to become generous and joyful disciples of Christ.

___________________

Words of the Holy Father before the final blessing

And we also wish to leave the chalice we used to celebrate the Eucharist at this altar as a gift to this community, to this church.  May we always be united in communion with Christ.

At 14.30 (local time), Pope Leo XIV transferred by car to President Obiang Nguema International Airport in Mongomo, took leave of some local leaders, and at around 15.10 he departed on board a Boeing 777-200 bound for Bata, landing at 15.40 (local time).

Upon arrival at Bata Airport, at around 15.45, the Pope was welcomed by some local authorities, and transferred by car to Bata Prison. During the journey he paused briefly at the Cathedral of Saint James and of Our Lady of the Pillar for a moment of prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

At 16.50 (local time), the Holy Father arrived at Bata Prison. Upon arrival he was welcomed by the Minister of Justice, His Excellency Mr. Reginaldo Biyogo Mba Ndong Anguesomo, the prison director, the chaplain and some representatives of the prison staff. He was then accompanied to the inner courtyard, where the inmates, prison staff and prison pastoral care representatives were present. After the welcome hymn, some words from the director and the testimony of an inmate, the Holy Father addressed a greeting to those present, followed by some words of gratitude from the chaplain.

At the end of the meeting, the Pope was presented with a wooden cross made by the inmates. After the prayer, the blessing and the final hymn, the Pope transferred by car to the monument commemorating the victims of the explosion that occurred on 7 March 2021.

The following is the greeting addressed by the Holy Father Leo XIV to those present during the visit to Bata Prison:

 

Greeting of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

In some places, it is said that rain is a sign of God’s blessing. Let us pray that this may indeed be the case. And let us also live this moment as a sign of God’s closeness, a God who never abandons us.

I have listened carefully to your words. Thank you for your sincerity, and for showing us that human dignity and hope are never lost, even in the midst of difficulties.

Today, I am here to tell you something simple: no one is excluded from God’s love! Each of us, with our unique stories, mistakes and sufferings, remains precious in the Lord’s eyes. We can say this with certainty, because Jesus revealed it to us in every encounter, every gesture and every word. Even when he was arrested, condemned and put to death through no fault of his own, he loved us to the very end. In doing so, he showed us that he believed in the power of love to change even the hardest of hearts.

On this journey, I have experienced Equatorial Guinea as a land rich in cultures, languages and traditions. Your families, communities and faith are a great source of strength for this nation. You, too, are also part of this country. The administration of justice aims to protect society. To be effective, however, it must always promote the dignity and potential of every person. True justice seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities wounded by evil. There is no justice without reconciliation. This is an immense undertaking. Part of it can happen within prisons, but the greater part must involve the entire national community, in order to prevent and heal the wounds caused by injustice.

Above all, I would like to speak to you about hope and change. Although prison may seem like a lonely and desolate place, as has been said, it can also become a space for reflection, reconciliation and personal growth. Every effort should be made to ensure that you are given the opportunity to study and to work with dignity while in prison. Life is not defined solely by one’s mistakes, which are often the result of difficult and complex circumstances. There is always the possibility to start over, learn and become a new person.

Brothers and sisters, you are not alone. Your families love you and are waiting for you. Many people outside these walls are praying for you. If any of you fear being abandoned by everyone, know that God will never abandon you, and that the Church will stand by your side. Think of your country and the young people of Equatorial Guinea who need examples of perseverance, responsibility and faith. Every effort toward reconciliation and every act of kindness can spark hope in others.

I would also like to thank the people who work at this correctional facility: the director, the officers and the chaplain. By combining security with respect and kindness, they provide an essential service that ensures the necessary conditions that allow inmates to reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives.

Dear brothers and sisters, God never grows tired of forgiving. He always opens a new door for those who recognize their mistakes and desire to change. Do not let the past rob you of hope for the future. Every day can be a new beginning.

Let us entrust this journey to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy. May she accompany you, console you and protect your families. Today, I wish to assure you of my closeness and of my prayers for you and all the people of Equatorial Guinea. Always remember that a person who gets back up after falling is stronger than before. May the Lord grant you peace, hope and strength to begin anew. 

Brothers and sisters, under this rain, which is a blessing from God, let us recite the prayer that Christ himself taught us, saying: Our Father ….

And may the Almighty God bless you, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Welcome Ceremony and Courtesy Visit to the President of Equatorial Guinea

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

 

Welcome Ceremony and Courtesy Visit to the President of Equatorial Guinea

Upon arrival at Malabo International Airport, the Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and by his wife, Constancia Mangue de Obiang. Two children in traditional dress offered the Pope a floral tribute.

After the national anthems, the Honour to the Flags and the passage of the Guard of Honour, the presentation of the respective delegations took place.

At the end of the ceremony, the Pope was accompanied by the President of the Republic to the VIP Hall for a brief private meeting.

Then, at 12.15 (local time), the Holy Father transferred by car to the Presidential Palace for the courtesy visit to the President of Equatorial Guinea, completing the final section of the journey in an open-top car.

Upon arrival, at 12.30 (local time), he was received by the President of the Republic and his wife, and was accompanied to the Ambassadors’ Hall, where the private meeting took place. Whilst moving from the Ambassadors’ Hall to the Hall for the meeting with the authorities, the Holy Father and the President paused briefly to exchange gifts.

 

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

At 13.00 (local time), the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the Diplomatic Corps took place, in the presence of political and religious leaders, businesspeople and representatives of civil society and culture. After the address by the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV delivered his address.

Upon leaving the Hall, accompanied by the President, the Pontiff signed the Guest Book. He then transferred by car to the archbishopric, passing by the Metropolitan Cathedral of Malabo, where he paused for a brief moment of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

At the end of the meeting, at around 13.45 (local time), the Pope transferred by car to the archbishopric, where he lunched in private.

The following is the address delivered by the Holy Father Leo XIV during the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the Diplomatic Corps:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Mr President, Distinguished Civil Authorities and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I greet you cordially and thank you for your welcome and for the words addressed to me. I am happy to be here among you, visiting the beloved people of Equatorial Guinea. During his visit to the country,  Saint Pope John Paul II  described you, Mr President, as “the symbolic center to which the living aspirations of a people converge for the establishment of a social climate of authentic liberty, justice, respect and promotion of the rights of every person or group, and better living conditions, which allow everyone to realize themselves as human beings and as children of God” ( Address to the President of Equatorial Guinea , 18 February 1982). These are words that remain timely and that challenge anyone entrusted with public responsibility. On the other hand, “the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts” (Pastoral Constitution  Gaudium et Spes , 1). These expressions from the Pastoral Constitution  Gaudium et Spes  of the  Second Vatican Council  best express the reasons and sentiments that lead me to you, to confirm you in the faith and to console the people of this country undergoing rapid transformation. For, as in the heart of God, so too in the heart of the Church there resounds the echo of all that happens here, among millions of men and women for whom our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life.

You know that Saint Augustine interpreted events and history according to the model of two cities: the “city of God,” eternal and characterized by God’s unconditional love ( amor Dei ), as well as love for one’s neighbor, especially the poor; and the “earthly city,” which is a temporary dwelling place, where men and women live until death. From this perspective, the two cities coexist until the end of time (cf.  De civitate Dei , 19,14), and every human being, through the decisions he or she manifests day by day, belongs to one or the other of them.

I know that you have embarked on the ambitious project of building a new capital for your country. You have chosen to give it a name that seems to echo the biblical city of Jerusalem,  Ciudad de la Paz . May such a decision prompt every person to ask themselves which city they wish to serve!  As I had the opportunity to remind the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See , according to the great father Augustine, the earthly city is centered upon the proud love of self ( amor sui ), on the lust for power and worldly glory that leads to destruction.

By contrast, Augustine holds that Christians are called by God to dwell in the earthly city while keeping their hearts and minds turned toward the heavenly city, their true homeland. This is the city towards which Abraham “set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” ( Heb  11:8-10). Every human being can benefit from the ancient realization of living on earth as a pilgrim. It is essential to discern the difference between that which lasts and that which passes, remaining free from the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion. In particular, “Christians living in the earthly city are not strangers to the political world, and, guided by the Scriptures, seek to apply Christian ethics to civil government. The  City of God  does not propose a political program. Instead, it offers valuable reflections on fundamental issues concerning social and political life” ( Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See , 9 January 2026).

Today, the  Church’s social teaching  offers guidance to all who seek to address the “new things” that destabilize our planet and human coexistence, while prioritizing, above all else, the Kingdom of God and his justice. This is a fundamental dimension of the Church’s mission: to contribute to the formation of consciences through the proclamation of the Gospel, the provision of moral criteria and authentic ethical principles — all while respecting individual freedom and the autonomy of nations and their governments. Ultimately, the aim of the  Social Doctrine  is to equip people to face ever-evolving problems; for every generation is unique, bringing with it new challenges, new dreams and new questions.

In particular, we are faced with issues that shake the very foundations of the human experience. Drawing a parallel between our contemporary era and the times of  Pope Leo XIII ’s  Rerum Novarum , I have previously emphasized that “exclusion is the new face of social injustice. The gap between a ‘small minority’ — 1% of the population — and the overwhelming majority has widened dramatically… When we speak of exclusion, we are also faced with a paradox. The lack of land, food, housing and dignified work coexists with access to new technologies that have spread everywhere through the globalized markets. Cell phones, social networks and even artificial intelligence are in the pockets of millions of persons, including the poor” ( Address to Participants in the World Meeting of Popular Movements , 23 October 2025). Consequently, it is the imperative duty of civil authorities and of sound politics to dismantle the obstacles to integral human development — a mission grounded in the fundamental principles of solidarity and the universal destination of goods.

It cannot be ignored, for example, that the rapid technological evolution we are witnessing has accelerated speculation regarding raw materials. This shift seemingly overshadows fundamental imperatives such as the safeguarding of creation, the rights of local communities, the dignity of labor and the protection of public health. In this regard, I echo the appeal of  Pope Francis  who passed away exactly one year ago: “today we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills” (Apostolic Exhortation  Evangelii Gaudium , 53). In fact, it is even more evident today than in years past that the proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples.

These same technologies often appear to be conceived and utilized primarily for warlike purposes, within contexts that fail to expand opportunities for all. On the contrary, the destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements. God does not want this. His holy Name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance or by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death. May your country not hesitate to evaluate its own paths of development and the positive opportunities of positioning itself on the international stage in the service of law and justice.

Yours is a young country! I am certain, therefore, that within the Church you will find help for the formation of free and responsible consciences, enabling you to advance together toward the future. In a world wounded by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice. It is necessary to encourage those who believe in peace and to dare to engage in “countercurrent” politics — those which place the common good at their very center. What is urgently needed is the courage of new visions and an educational pact that gives young people space and trust. The city of God — the city of peace — is indeed received as a gift from on high, the horizon toward which our every noble aspiration turns. It is both a promise and a task. Its inhabitants “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks” ( Is  2:4). Having dried every tear, they shall partake in a banquet no longer reserved for an élite, because a feast of rich food filled with marrow and of well-matured wines strained clear (cf.  Is  25:6) will be shared among all.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, let us walk together, with wisdom and hope, towards the city of God, which is the city of peace. Thank you!