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.
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