Pope Leo Urges Cameroon to Tackle Corruption, Promote Peace

Pope Leo XIV has called on the government of Cameroon to take decisive action against corruption and work towards lasting peace, as he continues his ongoing tour of Africa.

Speaking in the capital, Yaoundé, the Pope delivered a pointed message in the presence of President Paul Biya, urging leaders to uphold integrity and accountability in governance.

“In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption… must be broken,” the pontiff said, warning against what he described as “the whims of the rich and powerful.”

He also called for an end to the long-running conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more since 2017.

Pope Leo’s visit to Cameroon marks the second stop of his 10-day African tour, during which he is expected to visit cities including Bamenda and Douala, where a major public Mass is scheduled to draw hundreds of thousands of worshippers.

The visit comes amid heightened global attention on the Pope, who has recently been vocal on international issues, including conflict and governance, drawing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Despite the criticism, Pope Leo has maintained his stance, emphasizing dialogue, justice, and peace as central themes of his mission.

During his first day in Cameroon, he met with top government officials, visited an orphanage, and engaged with local clergy, while crowds gathered to cheer him.

The trip is seen as significant for both religious and diplomatic reasons, particularly as Cameroon grapples with internal conflict and governance challenges.