Bata, Equatorial Guinea, April 23, 2026 (AFP) - Fresh paint, careful choreography as pope visits African prison

NAMPA / AFP

2026-04-23

The walls around Equatorial Guinea's notorious Bata prison were freshly painted salmon-pink for Pope Leo XIV's visit Wednesday, but inside there was no masking the acrid smell of sweat and urine. Shouting "freedom" in the pouring tropical rain, hundreds of inmates jumped in unison in the courtyard of the prison as they greeted the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Dressed in bright orange or khaki-green uniforms, around 600 inmates lin......

Restricted content

Community

London, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - UK police arrest two more after arson attacks on Jewish sites

2026-04-22 23:30:27

Lausanne, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Tears and smiles at tribute concert for Swiss fire victims

2026-04-22 23:30:27

Lausanne, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Concert pays tribute to Swiss fire disaster victims

2026-04-22 23:00:23

Bata, Equatorial Guinea, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Pope hits out at jails in closed-off Equatorial Guinea

2026-04-22 22:00:32

Bata, Equatorial Guinea, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Pope in Equatorial Guinea criticises prison conditions

2026-04-22 20:30:55

Frankfurt, Germany, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Just a little late: Frankfurt celebrates new airport terminal

2026-04-22 19:00:28

Rome, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Italy watchdog probes travel giant Booking.com

2026-04-22 17:00:25

Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Pope in Equatorial Guinea criticises prison conditions

2026-04-22 14:00:24

Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Pope to visit prison on final leg of Africa tour

2026-04-22 12:30:38

Colombo, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - US-based Buddhist monks bring peace walk to Sri Lanka

2026-04-22 11:00:22

Rome, April 22, 2026 (AFP) - Italy watchdog probes travel giant Booking.com

2026-04-22 10:30:14

Latest NAMPA photos

OTJIWARONGO, 21 April 2026 - Nearly 1 000 mandrax tables were allegedly discovered in a goods delivery truck on the Otjiwarongo-Outjo road on Tuesday. Three parcels of cannabis were also allegedly found in the same truck. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 21 April 2026 - ReconNamibia Assistant Operations Manager, Muundu Kasera. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA

KAPAKO, 21 April 2026 - The Kapako Constituency in the Kavango West Region has launched targeted youth tourism workshops aimed at promoting job creation and enterprise development, with leaders calling for practical action, skills development and the sustainable use of natural resources. (Photo by: Lylie Joel) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 21 April 2026 - Industry leaders pose for a photo at the 2026 Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers Workshop. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 21 April 2026 - Attendees of the 2026 Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers Workshop pose for a photo. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 20 April 2026 - President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (centre) pictured together with a delegation from the Omaludi organising committee and the Minister in the Presidency, Charles Mubita (far left) at the State House. (Photo by: Edward Tenete) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 20 April 2026 - High Court Judge Claudia Claasen on Monday convicted Mechthilde Karomo on two counts of murder and a charge of arson following a fatal shack fire that claimed two lives in December 2022. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

NAMPA

RUNDU, 27 April 2025 - Tuhingireni residents spokesperson Sarafina Shifafure speaking during a community meeting last year. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

NAMPA