BAMENDA, Cameroon (FN), Pope Leo XIV urged peace, unity and reconciliation Thursday during a visit to Bamenda, the heart of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis, as part of his Apostolic Journey across Africa. The pontiff met with community leaders in a peace dialogue and celebrated a public Mass at Bamenda International Airport, telling thousands of worshippers to “reject resignation and obey God over earthly ways of thinking.”
The Pope’s visit comes as Cameroon continues to grapple with years of unrest in its English‑speaking regions, where separatist groups have clashed with government forces over political and cultural grievances. The conflict has displaced thousands, disrupted education, and left communities divided. By addressing the crisis directly, the Pope sought to inspire hope and highlight interfaith efforts aimed at ending violence and caring for victims.
His message echoed previous papal interventions in conflict zones. In 2015, Pope Francis visited the Central African Republic, calling for peace amid sectarian violence. In 2019, he traveled to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius, urging reconciliation in nations scarred by civil strife. More recently, Pope Francis’ 2023 trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo emphasized the Church’s role in promoting dialogue and healing in regions torn by war.
In Bamenda, Pope Leo XIV’s presence was seen as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Cameroon’s Anglophone population, who have long felt marginalized. Local leaders welcomed his appeal for unity, saying it could strengthen ongoing peace initiatives. The visit underscored the Vatican’s commitment to supporting interfaith movements and humanitarian efforts in Africa’s conflict‑affected regions.
Officials said the Pope’s call for reconciliation was aimed not only at ending violence but also at encouraging Cameroonians to embrace dialogue and resist despair. His words, delivered in the midst of ongoing tensions, were intended to uplift communities and remind them of the possibility of peace.
