Pope Leo XIV addressed a massive crowd in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, using one of the most significant stages of his Africa tour to deliver a forceful message of justice, nonviolence, and resistance against corruption.
Addressing an estimated 120,000 faithful at the Japoma Stadium, the Roman Catholic leader urged the nation’s youth to pursue the common good. Security was notably tight for the event, with many Cameroonians arriving a day early and camping overnight to secure a place for the Mass.
“Do not give in to distrust and discouragement. Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart,” the Pope stated in a homily delivered in both English and French.
The Douala visit follows a stop in Bamenda, the epicenter of the nearly decade-long Anglophone separatist insurgency. There, the Pontiff criticized those who “manipulate the name of God for military and economic gain.” His tour, which began in Algeria and will continue to Angola and Equatorial Guinea, has been marked by a new, assertive speaking style targeting “neocolonial” powers and violations of international law.
His recent criticisms regarding the war in Iran have sparked a public feud with U.S. President Donald Trump, who labeled the first U.S.-born Pope “weak.” In Douala, Pope Leo remained undeterred, stating he has “no fear” of the current U.S. administration.
Following the Mass, the Pope was scheduled to visit a Catholic hospital in Douala before traveling to Yaoundé to meet with university students. With nearly 30% of Cameroon’s population identifying as Catholic, the visit is being viewed by local clergy, such as Bishop Leopold Bayemi Matjei, as a vital moment of hope for a country grappling with internal conflict and the aftermath of deadly post-election protests.