Pope Leo criticises Equatorial Guinea prisons as he winds up Africa tour

Pope Leo has urged authorities in Equatorial Guinea not to use the justice system just to punish, but also to protect society, after criticising how prisoners are treated. At a visit to a jail known for its dire conditions, he said true justice "seeks not so much to punish as to help rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities". "To be effective, however, it must always promote the dignity of every person," the pontiff told hundreds of inmates gathered in the prison courtyard, encou…