Pope Leo XIV visits Cameroon, calls for peace amid separatist conflict and political tensions

Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Cameroon on an African tour focused on peace, dialogue, and good governance. He will meet President Paul Biya and address issues such as corruption and political responsibility. The visit also highlights the ongoing separatist conflict in the north-west, where a temporary ceasefire has been announced to allow safe passage. Major events include a peace meeting in Bamenda and a large Mass in Douala before he continues his tour to Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Cameroon as part of a wider four-nation African tour, bringing a message centered on peace, reconciliation, and good governance during a politically sensitive moment for the country.
Upon arrival in Yaoundé, the capital, the Pope is expected to hold talks with President Paul Biya, who at 93 remains the world’s oldest serving leader and has been in power since 1982. His long rule and a widely disputed election that secured him an eighth term last year have continued to generate domestic and international debate about democratic governance in Cameroon.
According to the Vatican, discussions during the visit are expected to focus on issues such as corruption in Cameroon’s mineral-rich economy and the responsible exercise of political authority. The Pope is also expected to encourage dialogue, transparency, and national unity in a country facing multiple social and political challenges.
Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary begins with a meeting at the presidential palace, followed by an address to government officials, members of the civil service, and diplomatic representatives. He is also scheduled to visit a Catholic orphanage run by a religious order of nuns, highlighting the Church’s humanitarian work in the country.
A major focus of the visit will be the situation in Cameroon’s north-west region, particularly in Bamenda, where separatist violence has persisted since 2017. The conflict began when armed groups from the English-speaking minority population began demanding independence from the French-speaking majority, seeking to establish a separate state. The violence has since escalated into a prolonged crisis that has claimed more than 6,000 lives and displaced over 600,000 people, according to estimates from the International Crisis Group.
In a notable development ahead of the Pope’s arrival, separatist groups announced a three-day suspension of hostilities to allow safe movement for visitors and residents during the papal visit. The Unity Alliance, which brings together several separatist factions, described the pause as a gesture of respect for the spiritual importance of the Pope’s mission and an opportunity to ensure civilians, pilgrims, and officials can travel safely.
The Pope is expected to hold a major “peace meeting” in Bamenda, which is likely to address the ongoing conflict and call for dialogue between the government and separatist groups. He will also celebrate a large public Mass in Douala, a coastal city where around 29% of the population is Catholic, with an expected attendance of up to 600,000 worshippers.
After concluding his engagements in Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV will continue his African tour with a visit to Angola before ending the trip in Equatorial Guinea next week, continuing his broader message of peace and solidarity across the continent.