Pope Leo XIV is urging Equatorial Guineans to work for freedom, justice and to close the gap “between the privileged and the disadvantaged.” Leo opened his day with a Mass in Mongomo. The eastern city is on the border with Gabon and has experienced major development since Equatorial Guinea’s oil boom in the 1990s. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who has been accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism comes from Mongomo. He and his wife were on hand for the Mass as was their son who has been convicted of embezzling millions of euros by a French court.