Cameroon: Pope Leo XIV calls for peace and anti-corruption efforts on arrival

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Yaoundé on Wednesday afternoon, April 15, for a four-day official visit to Cameroon. Thousands of faithful and onlookers gathered at the airport and along his route to welcome the pontiff. His visit will also take him to Bamenda, in the English-speaking region, and to Douala.

At the presidential palace in Etoudi, Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with President Paul Biya. The two leaders later addressed an audience of nearly 2,000 guests, including diplomats and local dignitaries. In his speech, the pope focused on key issues such as human rights, social justice, and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Strong message on security, human rights, and governance

The pontiff stressed that security must be a priority, but insisted it should always be carried out with full respect for human rights. He also called for “authentic peace” and urged authorities to tackle corruption and abuses of power. In a firm message, he invited leaders to undertake a “moral examination” and to “break the chains of corruption.”

Biya praises a universal message of peace

President Paul Biya welcomed the pope’s message, stating that “the world needs peace, justice, tolerance, forgiveness, and love.” He also highlighted the significance of the visit amid a challenging global context.

Next stop: Bamenda and the Anglophone crisis

On Thursday, the pope is scheduled to travel to Bamenda, where he will take part in a peace conference in the restive Anglophone northwest region. This visit is seen as highly symbolic in an area affected by ongoing tensions and could become a key moment of his trip.