The Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon: April 15-18, 2026
Pope Saint John Paul II was the first Supreme Pontiff to visit Cameroon twice during his pontificate, in 1985 and 1995. During his first visit in 1985, he came to Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest Region and the headquarters of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, and even ordained deacons to the priesthood. Then, in 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited Cameroon but did not visit Bamenda.
We welcomed the news with excitement that another Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, would visit Cameroon. This would be the fourth time a pope has visited the country, and he would be welcomed by the same president who has been in office for over four decades. This suggests that the troubles in Cameroon center on the same person.
Pope Leo XIV at Bamenda international airport during Holy Mass.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon's capital, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, after visiting Algeria. He was welcomed by the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, and by thousands of people who came out to greet him. Joy and happiness were evident on people’s faces. Everyone would have loved to shake the Holy Father's hand, but that was impossible, as there were thousands of people at each location. Many of us were happy to see the Pope closer to us. It gave us joy to see the leader of the Most Holy Catholic Church set foot in our land of war, violence, and insecurity. Our prayer is that his message will resonate with the warring factions.
Robert Cardinal Francis Prevost is the 14th Pope to have taken the name Leo. Each of the Leos has contributed significantly to the development of the Catholic Church and its relationship with the world. The Popes named Leo have left a legacy of theological advancements and political maneuvers that continue to influence the Catholic Church today. Since his election as the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has firmly stood for clarity, leaving no room for media outlets to misinterpret Catholic Theology, which draws its lessons from Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.
Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon was among the crowd of priests waiting at the Bamenda Airport for Holy Mass to start with the Holy Father.
I love this Pope for choosing that name, for following in the footsteps of his predecessors who bore it, for his humility and firmness, and for a personal reason: he is from America, the country I love and cherish most. A country with faithful Catholics who support the Church's growth and missionary work around the world. May God bless the ministry of Pope Leo XIV, and may his visit to Cameroon bring healing, peace, justice, reconciliation, and an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
On his arrival in Cameroon on April 15th, 2026, the Pope addressed the President and the members of the Diplomatic Corps. He recognized Cameroon as “Africa in miniature” because of the richness of its territories, cultures, languages, and traditions. He said, “This diversity is not a weakness but a treasure,” and should be used to build lasting peace. In sum, the Pope called for justice, peace, love, reconciliation, and moral responsibility on the part of those in power. The Pope addressed the issues plaguing Cameroon in truth and sincerity. He did not shrink from the truth. The question is whether the leaders will take on board the Pope's message to bring peace back to Anglophone Cameroon and to Cameroon at large. When one part of the country is sick, the whole country is sick.
On Thursday, April 16th, 2026, the Pope flew to Bamenda. The “International Airport” in Bamenda, which had been abandoned for decades, has now been renovated and reopened. We are grateful to the Pope for visiting Bamenda despite the socio-political unrest in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, the two Regions that comprise Anglophone Cameroon.
The chasuble the Pope used for Mass in Bamenda was designed by the Nuns of the Dominican Monastery in Bambui, Bamenda. It reflected the cultural identity and diversity of the people, with a cross as a sign of hope for those who urgently need peace. Before the Holy Mass at the Bamenda International Airport, the Pope held an audience with more than 3,000 people at the Saint Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral in Mankon, Bamenda.
Several people had been selected to prepare speeches for the Pope’s audience. The Archbishop of Bamenda, Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrew Fuanya Nkea spoke first, highlighting the hardships the people of Anglophone Cameroon had endured during these years of crisis. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon shared the experiences of those who have been kidnapped, tortured, and, in some cases, killed. The “Fon” (king) of Mankon in Bamenda, representing the traditional rulers, shared his experiences collaborating to bring peace back to the country. An Imam (Muslim leader) spoke on behalf of the Muslim community and expressed his joy that the war in Anglophone Cameroon has not degenerated into a religious war. He was hopeful that peace would be restored soon. A Nun of the congregation of the Sisters of Saint Ann related her experience as a kidnapping victim and how she was saved by praying the Rosary. Lastly, an internally displaced person, due to the crisis, shared his experiences of having to leave his home in search of shelter, food, and clothing elsewhere. He revealed a profound truth about the crisis when he said, “The separatists were busy kidnapping people while the government ‘forces of law and order’ were busy burning houses and property.”
In response, the Holy Father acknowledged the hardships the people had endured amid the ongoing crisis. He said, “I am grateful for your words of welcome, because it is true: I am here to proclaim peace. Yet I find it is you who are proclaiming peace to me, and to the entire world. As one of you observed, the crisis impacting these regions of Cameroon has brought Christian and Muslim communities closer than ever before. Indeed, your religious leaders have come together to establish a Movement for Peace, through which they seek to mediate between the opposing sides.” His words kept the people attentive because they hungered for true peace and freedom.
The People and the Pope in the Cathedral in Bamenda, and the Pope addressing the people in the Cathedral in Bamenda on Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Pope went on, “I wish this would happen in so many other places in the world. Your witness, your work for peace, can be a model for the whole world! Jesus told us: Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. Yes, my dear sisters and brothers, you who hunger and thirst for justice, who are poor, merciful, meek, and pure of heart, you who have wept — you are the light of the world! (cf. Mt 5:3-14). Bamenda, today, you are the city on the hill, resplendent in the eyes of all! Sisters and brothers, be the salt that continuously gives flavor to this land. Do not lose your flavor, even in the years to come!” This message was profound and touched the hearts of the people who need justice and peace. The Pope frowned on the rulers who use religion for their political maneuvers.
Sisters, servants of Mary (Saint Mary Soledad) were present, and their joy was wonderful to see.
During the Mass at the International Airport in Bamenda, which started at 3:15 PM, the Pope reiterated the message of social justice, peace, dialogue, and reconciliation. He urged the people to “obey God, not humans.” He emphasized inculcating the spirit of unity to seek peace and reconciliation.
After the Mass, the Pope returned to Yaounde, his base, to meet with other groups, especially the Ngul Zamba Orphanage, and with the bishops of Cameroon. He then prepared to visit Douala on Friday, April 17th, 2026. He had a pontifical High Mass at the Japoma Stadium in Douala and then made a private visit to Saint Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala. Douala is Cameroon's economic capital. During his homily, he called on the youth to reject violence and corruption and embrace faith, solidarity, and moral responsibility in building a just future. He called on all to reject unnecessary stemming from greed that leaves people to hunger for peace, freedom, and justice. He called on the youths to be the architects of peace and to reject all forms of abuse and violence.
The Holy Father returned to Yaounde and met with the students and faculty of the Catholic University of Central Africa. He would prepare for the liturgy of the Holy Mass in Yaounde the next day, Saturday, April 18th, 2026. Again, during his sermon, he emphasized the peace of Christ, which he described as illuminating the path and calming life’s storms. He compared the disciples’ fear on the Sea of Galilee with the modern human experience of uncertainty and diversity. He described the Church in Cameroon as “live, young, blessed with gifts and enthusiasm, energetic in its variety and magnificent in its harmony.” The Holy Father called for a spirit of communal commitment to integrate the Gospel's spiritual and moral dimensions into local institutions and structures.
The Holy Mass in Yaounde concluded the Holy Father’s visit to Cameroon. It was an enriching moment to be with the Supreme Pontiff for these days. We pray that his message of peace bears fruit soon, not only for Cameroon but for all people worldwide who are suffering because of war, abuse, and violence. May his message of peace touch the hearts of leaders to lead with the heart of Jesus, and may Mary, our Mother, intercede for us to have peace in our world once again. Amen.
-Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon