EPISTLES

The visit of Pope Leo XIV to a prison in Equatorial Guinea on April 22, 2026 unfolds as a deeply human and spiritual encounter marked by honesty, repentance, and hope. It begins with a formal welcome from prison authorities, who describe the facility’s efforts to maintain a “safe and dignified environment” through meals, medical care, legal assistance, and programs aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration.

The most powerful moment comes from the prisoners themselves. Speaking directly to the Pope, they acknowledge their past while expressing a desire to change. “We are serving our sentences and reflecting on our actions,” they say. His presence, they add, reminds them “of the importance of faith and redemption.”

Their appeal is simple but sincere. “We ask for your blessing to move forward and become better people.” They also look ahead to life beyond prison: “We ask for your help in finding opportunities for reintegration into society.” Their words reveal both regret and hope.

In a song they sang for the Pope, they admit, “We regret everything that has happened in our lives. Many of us have been deceived… corrupted by bad influences, but we have hope of regaining our freedom.” Again and again, they turn to him with a plea: “Holy Father, always pray for us prisoners,” and “Pray for our sins and our freedom.”

Here is my translation of the song (from Spanish):

Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we give thanks to you.
We thank you, Holy Father, for your humility and simplicity.

Pray for our sins and our freedom.
Our Holy Father, we give thanks to you.
Pray for our sins and our freedom.

We regret everything that has happened in our lives.
Many of us have been deceived
or corrupted by bad influences,
but we have hope of regaining our freedom.

We are believers,
and we know that we will never be forgotten,
according to the law, according to the will of God.

We are believers,
and we know that we will never be forgotten,
according to the law, according to the will of God.

Our Holy Father, we give thanks.
Pray for our sins and our freedom.
Our Holy Father, we give you thanks.
Pray for our sins and our freedom.

When Pope Leo XIV begins to speak, rain suddenly falls. He interprets it as something meaningful: “In some places they say that rain is a sign of God’s blessing.” Rather than a disruption, it becomes part of the message.

His words are direct and reassuring. “No one is excluded from God’s love,” he says. He reminds them that “each one of us, with our history, our mistakes, our sufferings, remains valuable in the eyes of the Lord.”

He also speaks about justice in a deeper way: “True justice does not seek so much to punish, but above all to help rebuild life.” His message encourages them not to remain stuck in the past.

“Don’t let the past take your hope in the future. Every day can be a new beginning,” he says. Then comes one of his most memorable lines: “The person who gets up after falling is stronger than before.”

As the visit concludes, a representative thanks him, saying his presence shows that “no person is outside the love of God.” The Pope then leads the Our Father and gives his blessing.

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