Future of humanity at risk of being compromised: Pope

The future of humanity is at risk of being “tragically endangered” by ongoing wars and the collapse of international law, Pope Leo warned in a powerful speech in Equatorial Guinea during his four-nation African tour.

The first American pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump after becoming more outspoken in recent weeks, also condemned what he called the “colonization” of the Earth’s oil and mineral resources, which he said has led to bloody conflicts.

“Without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and respect for institutions and international agreements, the fate of humanity risks being tragically endangered,” the pope said on Tuesday. he said.

“God does not want this,” the head of the 1.4 billion-member Church said in a speech to Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and other political leaders.

He added: “His holy name must not be sullied by the desire for domination, by arrogance, or by discrimination. Above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions towards death.”

Visiting Equatorial Guinea on the final leg of an ambitious 10-day tour, Leo adopted a powerful new style of speaking during his time in Africa, delivering harsh condemnations of war, inequality and global leadership.

At an event in Angola on Monday, he warned that many people around the world were “exploited by authoritarians and defrauded by the rich.”

Obiang has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979 and has been widely criticized as one of the most repressive leaders in the region.

His government denies allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.

Leo’s comments denouncing the use of religion to justify violence echo those he made in March when he said God rejected the prayers of leaders whose “hands are full of blood.”

Leo has emerged as a growing critic of the war in recent weeks.

More than 70 percent of Equatorial Guinea’s population of 1.8 million identifies as Catholic.