Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful condemnation of external forces exploiting Africa's vast wealth for personal gain, delivering his forthright message during a recent pastoral visit to Cameroon. Speaking to an estimated 20,000 worshippers at a Mass in Bamenda, a city deeply affected by a protracted separatist rebellion, the Pontiff lamented how outsiders “in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it.” This sharp critique was part of a series of direct remarks, including a call for an end to the billions spent on warfare globally and a clear directive to Cameroon's government to dismantle corruption, which he described as disfiguring authority and stripping it of credibility, as a prerequisite for lasting peace.
The visit, marked by both solemnity and moments of joyful welcome from local crowds, saw the Pope engage with victims and religious leaders affected by the nearly decade-long insurgency in the country's English-speaking regions. He acknowledged their suffering and praised their resilience, emphasizing the importance of investing in youth and recognizing the crucial role of women as tireless builders of peace, whose voices must be fully integrated into decision-making processes to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the nation.
