Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at Mass attended by 120,000 worshippers

Pope Leo on Friday called on Cameroonians to reject violence and show generosity to their neighbours during a Mass in Douala attended by about 120,000 people, marking the largest event of his four-nation Africa tour.

The Mass, held at Japoma Stadium, drew massive crowds despite heavy security, with some worshippers arriving a day earlier and sleeping outdoors to secure a place at the service led by the pontiff, who has been increasingly outspoken on global conflict and inequality.

By Friday morning, streets around the stadium were filled with singing, dancing crowds, many using umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat as they awaited the Pope’s arrival.

After travelling from Yaounde to Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, Pope Leo told worshippers that many people in the country suffer from “material and spiritual poverty”, urging them not to respond to hardship with violence.

“Do not give in to distrust and discouragement,” he said in English during a speech otherwise delivered mainly in French.

“Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive.”

Pope Leo, the first U.S. pontiff, has adopted a more forceful tone during his Africa tour, previously condemning global inequality and describing the world as being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants”, without naming specific leaders.

In his homily, he also warned against injustice and invoked the biblical miracle of the loaves and fishes, saying: “There is bread for everyone if it is given to everyone. There is bread for everyone if it is taken, not with a hand that snatches away, but with a hand that gives.”

Some attendees said they were moved by his message, linking it to his earlier criticisms of war and global inequality.

“I was very moved by the Pope’s message… he is against violence,” said Carine Kemmoue, a medical doctor who attended the Mass.

Following the service, Pope Leo met students and lecturers at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaounde, where he spoke about environmental and social exploitation and called for an end to corruption.

Cameroon continues to face major security challenges, including a long-running Anglophone conflict, while also dealing with political tensions following President Paul Biya’s re-election last year.

Church leaders described the Pope’s visit as a moment of hope for the country, with Bishop Leopold Bayemi Matjei calling it “a moment of great joy” and praying for renewed national unity.

Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to Angola on Saturday as he continues his African tour.

Credit: Reuters