Pope at Bata Prison: 'No one is excluded from God’s love'
By Vatican News
During his Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV visited the prison of Bata on Wednesday morning, meeting inmates, staff, and representatives of prison pastoral care in the courtyard - where detainees and staff had gathered in song and dance.
On dignity
After a brief welcome address and a short testimony from one of the inmates, Pope Leo addressed the inmates and prison staff, saying, "I have listened carefully to your words", and he thanked those who had spoken before him. He pointed to their testimony as evidence that "human dignity and hope are never lost, even in the midst of difficulties".
He then emphasized: "No one is excluded from God’s love".
Referring to the image of Christ as an example, he recalled that even in situations of injustice and suffering, love retains the capacity to transform. For this reason, he said, every person remains "precious in the Lord’s eyes", regardless of their past.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE GREETINGS OF POPE LEO XIV
Justice and reintegration
Pope Leo then went on to address the role of the justice system. He recognized its responsibility to protect society but stressed that it must also promote the dignity and potential of each individual. "True justice seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities wounded by evil", he said, adding that "there is no justice without reconciliation".
A place for change
Speaking then directly to the inmates, the Pope described prison not only as a place of confinement, but also as a possible space for reflection and personal development. He emphasised the importance of access to education and meaningful work during detention. "Life is not defined solely by one’s mistakes", he said, reminding the inmates that "there is always the possibility to start over".
He also addressed the experience of isolation, reminding inmates that they are not alone. "Your families love you and are waiting for you. Many people outside these walls are praying for you", he said, adding, again, that God does not abandon anyone.
Acknowledging staff and chaplaincy
The Pope finally thanked the prison director, officers, and chaplain for their work, highlighting the importance of combining security with respect and humane treatment. This, he said, helps create the conditions necessary for reintegration into society.
At the end of the meeting, an inmate presented the Pope with a wooden cross made inside the prison, describing it as a symbol of their "stories, wounds and hope" for a new beginning.
Pope Leo holds up the wooden cross for the prisoners to see (@Vatican Media)
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