Image: from Ignatius Insight X @ignatiusinsight
Open Chronicle | With Agencies
Bamenda, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV has delivered a forceful condemnation of global conflict, corruption, and exploitation during a high-security այց to Cameroon’s troubled northwest, warning that the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants.”
Speaking in the city of Bamenda, at the heart of a nearly decade-long separatist insurgency, the pontiff used unusually direct language to denounce leaders and systems that, in his words, manipulate religion and power for political and military gain.
A Strong Message in a Conflict Zone
Addressing worshippers at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, the pope described the region as a “bloodstained yet fertile land,” acknowledging the deep and social toll of the ongoing violence.
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain,” he said, warning against the misuse of faith to justify conflict and domination.
The visit took place under tight security, with military escorts accompanying the pope as he traveled through the city in a reinforced popemobile. Despite the crowds gathered in large numbers, welcoming him with songs, cheers, and traditional instruments.
Escalating Rhetoric Amid Global Tensions
The remarks come amid a growing public rift between the Vatican and Donald Trump, following disagreements over the Iran war. The pope’s increasingly outspoken stance on global conflicts marks a shift from earlier, more restrained messaging.
His comments are likely to further deepen tensions with Washington, particularly after U.S. officials urged the Vatican to limit its role to moral guidance rather than geopolitical critique.
Criticism of Resource Exploitation
Later, during a mass at Bamenda airport, the pope expanded his criticism to include the economic exploitation of Africa, condemning those who “lay their hands on the continent to exploit and plunder it.”
Cameroon is rich in natural resources, including oil, timber, and minerals, which have long attracted both foreign investment and domestic political interest.
The pope argued that profits from such resources are often diverted into weapons and conflict, perpetuating cycles of instability rather than supporting development, education, and healthcare.
A Nation Marked by Conflict
Cameroon’s anglophone regions have been engulfed in violence since 2016, when protests over perceived marginalization escalated into armed conflict. Separatist groups declared an independent state, leading to clashes with government forces.
According to the United Nations, at least 6,000 people have been killed, and many more displaced. Schools, communities, and basic services have been severely disrupted.
The visit follows months of political tension, including protests over the re-election of President Paul Biya, who has ruled the country for decades.
A Call for Conscience and Peace
Upon arrival in the capital, the pope urged Cameroon’s leadership to examine their “conscience” and address corruption and human rights abuses, signaling a willingness to confront political issues directly.
In Bamenda, he reinforced that message symbolically by releasing white doves, a gesture representing peace in a region still scarred by violence.
A Broader African Tour
The visit to Cameroon is part of a wider African tour that will also take the pontiff to Angola and Equatorial Guinea. It marks the first papal visit to Cameroon in over a decade.
For many in Bamenda, the pope’s presence offered a rare moment of hope. Residents, including teachers and community leaders, spoke of the challenges of daily life amid insecurity and the need for lasting peace.
A Voice in a Divided World
Pope Leo XIV’s visit underscores the Vatican’s effort to assert a moral voice in a world increasingly defined by conflict and inequality.
Whether his words will translate into political change remains uncertain. But in a region marked by violence, his message resonated clearly, a call for accountability, dignity, and an end to cycles of exploitation and war.