Pope at final Mass in Equatorial Guinea: 'Our life story finds meaning in the Gospel'

Mass at Malabo Stadium - Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the final Mass of his Apostolic Journey to four African nations, today at Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea, attended by more than 30,000 people.

The Pope began his homily by expressing his "heartfelt condolence" for the passing of the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Malabo, Fr Fortunato Nsue Esono, who died suddenly on April 17, only a few days before the Pope's arrival in the country.

He went on to underline that interpreting Scripture is "both serious and providential," as 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." Reflecting on the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, in which the deacon Philip explains the Scripture and proclaims Jesus to the eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia, Pope Leo noted that the eunuch is intelligent and cultured but not fully free, and all he has is his labour, which benefits others. Even his body, the Pope explained, shows this, as being a eunuch he cannot give life, and thus "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," the Pope said.

Through Philip, the eunuch is transformed from a spectator of the sacred texts "into a protagonist in the very story that captivates him, because it now concerns him personally."

"This African man thus enters into Scripture, which welcomes every reader who seeks to understand God's word," the Pope continued. "He steps into salvation history, which embraces every man and woman, especially the oppressed, the marginalised, and the least among us."

The Pope pointed out that this word becomes a lived reality as, at the end of this passage, the eunuch is baptized by Philip and through this sacrament, "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."

Pope Leo XIV reminded those present that like the eunuch, we too have become Christians through our baptism and thus receive the same faith through which we read the Word of God, that then helps us "proclaim the Gospel in our lives."

Reading Scripture, "therefore, is always both a personal and an ecclesial act; it is never something done in isolation or in a merely mechanical way," the Pope said, highlighting also the importance of a guide who accompanies us on our journey of faith, like Phillip did with the eunuch.

Pope Leo then noted that the eunuch was reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah, which speaks of "Jesus, whose passion, death and resurrection, redeem us from sin and death." In Him, every word of God finds fulfilment; "He reveals its original intention, full meaning, and ultimate purpose."

Referring then to the Gospel, taken from John, Pope Leo underlined that "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."

In the Gospel, Christ also reminded those listening of His "constant care" by recalling how God provided for the Israelites through the Manna during their forty-year journey through the desert.

This Manna "is a sign, a blessing, and a promise that Jesus comes to fulfil," the Pope explained, underlining that now it gives way to the Eucharist, the "eternal Covenant."

"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," the Pope said, adding that "Christ is everything for us" and in Him "we find the fullness of life and meaning."

Given this Good News about how God "always loves us first" and His word "is the Good News for us," the Pope insisted that "we have nothing greater to proclaim to the world."

"All of us are called to this evangelisation from the moment of our Baptism, the sacrament of fraternal unity, the cleansing water of forgiveness, and the source of hope," he emphasised. "Through our witness, the proclamation of salvation is made visible in action, service, and forgiveness-in a word, it becomes the Church!"

The Pope also warned against allowing our interior life to be caught up in its own interests, not allowing space for others. He noted that "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."

At the end of Mass the Pope noted that "the time has come" to depart, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to undertake the journey.

He thanked the Archbishop, the bishops, the clergy, and the wider community, describing them as "the people of God journeying in this land," where the Gospel has been present for 170 years. "Christ", he said, is "the Light of Equatorial Guinea, and you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world".

The Holy Father extended his appreciation to the country's civil authorities and all those who contributed to the organisation and success of the visit.

Reflecting on his time in Africa, Pope Leo XIV said he was leaving with "an immeasurable treasure of faith, hope, and charity," shaped by the encounters, testimonies, and experiences he gathered throughout the visit.

"This treasure consists of stories, faces, and testimonies, both joyful and sorrowful, which will greatly enrich my life and ministry as the Successor of Peter," he said.

Pope Leo went on to highlight Africa's role in the life of the Church, saying the continent is called, as in the early centuries of Christianity, to contribute to the holiness and missionary character of the faithful.

He concluded by entrusting the people of Equatorial Guinea and all of Africa to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, invoking her care for families, communities, and nations across the continent.

After the Mass, Pope Leo left for Malabo International Airport for the farewell ceremony from Equatorial Guinea.

He 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 the plane and departed at 12.54 local time bound for Rome.

Immediately after departure, Pope Leo XIV sent the following telegram to President Mbasogo: "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."

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

Watch the Mass at Malabo Stadium on the Vatican YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MvCPm5s-so