Pope Leo condemns 'tyrants' ravaging world with war during Cameroon visit
Pope Leo XIV has condemned global leaders for spending billions on wars and exploiting religion for military and political gain during his visit to Cameroon, a country affected by a long-running insurgency.
Speaking in the northwestern city of Bamenda, the largest city in Cameroon's anglophone regions, the Pope described the world as being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" and called for a "decisive change of course" away from conflict and exploitation.
The Pontiff's remarks came amid ongoing violence in the region, which has suffered from a separatist conflict for nearly a decade, leaving thousands dead and traumatized.
He highlighted the diversion of resources from healing, education, and restoration to funding weapons, perpetuating an "endless cycle of destabilisation and death." Pope Leo presided over a peace meeting involving representatives from different faiths, including a traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam, and a Catholic nun, emphasizing interfaith cooperation to end the conflict.
The Pope also warned against the manipulation of religion, stating, "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth." His visit to Bamenda was conducted under military escort, reflecting the security challenges in the region.
The Pope's comments followed a public spat with US President Donald Trump, who attacked him on social media after the Pope criticized the US and Israeli military operation in Iran.
Trump accused the Pope of being weak on crime and foreign policy and posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, which he later deleted.
Pope Leo, the first US-born pontiff, has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iran and has questioned the Trump administration's approach to immigration and foreign policy.
The visit is part of a broader African tour that includes stops in 11 cities across four countries, underscoring the significance of Africa to the Catholic Church, where over 288 million Catholics reside.
The Pope's presence in Cameroon brings international attention to one of the world's most neglected crises and highlights the urgent need for peace and restoration in the anglophone regions.
It remains unclear whether any separatist fighters, who are currently observing a pause in fighting, attended the Pope's mass in Bamenda.
The ongoing conflict in Cameroon's anglophone regions is rooted in the country's colonial history and has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges.
The Pope's call for peace and interfaith cooperation aims to foster healing in a region marked by prolonged violence and instability.
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