By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV visited the Pope Francis Technology School in the eastern city of Mongomo on Wednesday, the Pope’s last full day in the Equatorial Guinea.
The visit to the school named after his predecessor took place one day after the first-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ passing.
Yesterday, Pope Leo remembered Pope Francis in a message he sent to the Mass being celebrated at the Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome in his honor, calling the late Pope “a devoted shepherd who touched so many hearts” and noting he “remained a disciple of the Lord, faithful to his Baptism and to his consecration in episcopal ministry, until the end.”
The Holy Father recognized that Pope Francis had served as Successor of Peter and Pastor of the universal Church “at a time that has marked—and continues to mark—a change of era, a change of which he was fully aware, offering all of us a courageous witness that represents a significant patrimony for the Church.”
He also invited journalists aboard the papal flight to join him in thanking the Lord for the great gift of Francis’ life to the whole Church and the world.
The Pope Francis Technology School is an educational institution works to promote technological and vocational training, especially for young people.
Prior to this visit, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the same city.
Later in the day, he will meet with prisoners and young people.
On Thursday, after celebrating his final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, the Holy Father will conclude his 11-day four-nation Apostolic Journey to Africa and return to Rome. – Vatican News
