- Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit a notorious prison in Equatorial Guinea, aiming to highlight the country's human rights record.
- The visit marks the final full day of his extensive 11-day, four-nation tour across Africa, continuing a papal tradition of engaging with prisoners.
- Equatorial Guinea faces widespread condemnation from human rights groups and the US State Department for issues including arbitrary killings, torture, and a lack of judicial independence.
- The pontiff's visit is particularly scrutinised due to recent US deportations of third-country migrants to Equatorial Guinea, a practice criticised by human rights organisations.
- Seventy human rights groups have urged Pope Leo XIV to speak out against these deportations and advocate for judicial reform and improved conditions for political prisoners.
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