Pope Leo XIV arrived in Equatorial Guinea on April 21, 2023, to address issues of mineral exploitation and poverty in a nation rich in oil yet plagued by corruption. He criticized the 'colonisation' of Africa's resources during a meeting with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled since 1979. Despite the country's oil wealth, which accounts for nearly half of its GDP, over half of the population lives in poverty. The Pope referenced the late Pope Francis in his remarks about income inequality, stating that the global economy often prioritizes profit over people. He urged public authorities to promote sustainable development, drawing parallels with St. Augustine's concept of the 'City of God.' The visit marks the first papal trip to Equatorial Guinea since St. John Paul II in 1982, with the Pope receiving a warm welcome from the largely Catholic population. However, the country faces significant challenges, including government repression and the controversial deportation of migrants from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea, raising concerns about human rights.