Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday to an outpouring of joy, marking the start of an emotional visit for the country’s Catholic faithful.
The papal aircraft landed at Yaoundé’s international airport beneath a bright afternoon sky.
The 70-year-old pontiff stepped onto the red carpet smiling, greeting Church officials waiting to receive him during his first visit to the Central African nation.
Beyond the airport gates, the welcome had already taken on the feel of a celebration. Hundreds of people had gathered for hours, singing and dancing as they waited.
Choirs filled the humid air with hymns, accompanied by drums and brass instruments, while dancers performed in anticipation of his arrival.
As the pope’s motorcade left the airport, crowds lined the roads. Many stretched out their hands towards the passing vehicle, some waving Cameroonian flags, others capturing the moment on their phones as Leo waved back from inside.
The visit forms part of one of the most ambitious journeys undertaken by a pontiff in decades. Over ten days, Leo is expected to travel nearly 18,000 kilometres across Africa, visiting 11 cities and towns, including stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
On Thursday (16 April), he is due to travel to Bamenda, the country’s largest English-speaking city, where he will celebrate Mass and attend what has been described as a meeting for peace.
The region has been affected by a long-running conflict, though separatist groups have announced a temporary pause in fighting during his visit.
The largest gathering is expected on Friday in the coastal city of Douala, where the Vatican says around 600,000 people could attend Mass.
Throughout his visit, Pope Leo has delivered a firm message on peace, justice and leadership. Speaking before Paul Biya, who has governed Cameroon since 1982, he urged reflection and reform.
“It is time to examine our conscience and take a bold leap forward,” Leo said.
“In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility must be broken.”
In unusually direct remarks, the pope criticised leaders who spend vast sums on war, warning that the world is “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”. He also condemned the use of religious language to justify conflict, calling for a “decisive change of course.”
His comments come amid growing tensions with Donald Trump, who has publicly criticised the pope on social media.
Leo, the first pope from the United States, has spoken out against the war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, describing threats to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable”.
The dispute has drawn further attention after remarks from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who said the pope should “be careful” when speaking on theological matters.
Despite the political backdrop, the mood on the ground in Cameroon has remained focused on unity and hope. For many gathered in Yaoundé, the visit is less about global tensions and more about a rare moment of spiritual connection.
Britain's Observer newspaper reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to resign on Monday and outline a timetable for his departure. ...
More than 41 million Colombians headed to the polls on Sunday to decide whether the country will continue the left-wing policies of President Gustavo ...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed officials to resume discussions on reopening the historic Halki Seminary near Istanbul, a long-...
Bolivia showed signs of returning to normality on Sunday after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency to end a 50-day social crisis that ...
Ukraine's improved position on the battlefield has done little to ease the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people displaced by the conflict,...
More than 41 million Colombians headed to the polls on Sunday to decide whether the country will continue the left-wing policies of President Gustavo Petro or elect conservative outsider Abelardo De La Espriella in a closely watched presidential runoff.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed officials to resume discussions on reopening the historic Halki Seminary near Istanbul, a long-standing issue that was raised by U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of an expected NATO summit visit to Ankara next month.
Bolivia showed signs of returning to normality on Sunday after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency to end a 50-day social crisis that had paralysed transport networks across the country.
Ukraine's improved position on the battlefield has done little to ease the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people displaced by the conflict, according to the head of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
A train driver has been killed and nine people remain in a critical condition in hospital, after two trains collided near Beford in the east of England on Friday. The passenger trains heading to London collided at around 17:15 local time (1615 GMT).
Morocco captain and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial in France after an appeals court ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck southwest of Greece’s island of Crete on Saturday, with no immediate reports of damage.
Paraguay kept their World Cup hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Türkiye, but the celebrations were tempered by a costly red card for veteran forward Miguel Almirón.
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, a senior U.S. official has said. Hezbollah has released a statement saying Israel must leave southern Lebanon. Israel has said it agrees to the ceasefire, but has said its armed forces won't leave Lebanon and will resume hostilities if attacked.
More than 41 million Colombians headed to the polls on Sunday to decide whether the country will continue the left-wing policies of President Gustavo Petro or elect conservative outsider Abelardo De La Espriella in a closely watched presidential runoff.
Britain's Observer newspaper reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to resign on Monday and outline a timetable for his departure.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed officials to resume discussions on reopening the historic Halki Seminary near Istanbul, a long-standing issue that was raised by U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of an expected NATO summit visit to Ankara next month.
Bolivia showed signs of returning to normality on Sunday after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency to end a 50-day social crisis that had paralysed transport networks across the country.
Ukraine's improved position on the battlefield has done little to ease the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people displaced by the conflict, according to the head of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment