Pope Leo XIV to visit Cameroon conflict zone, urge peace
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to arrive in Cameroon on Wednesday, marking the second phase of his African tour. During his four-day visit, the pontiff will meet with Cameroonian President Paul Biya. This meeting has caused division among Catholics in the country, with some clergy members expressing concern that it could enhance Biya's public image, particularly following the suppression of protests against his re-election six months prior. Biya, 93, has been in power since 1982 and is currently serving his eighth consecutive term. On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Bamenda, a central location in the separatist insurgency, to pray for peace before 20,000 worshippers. The Anglophone Crisis, which began in the 1970s after the merger of French- and English-speaking regions, escalated into a conflict between the army and English-speaking separatists following a crackdown on protests in 2016. This conflict has resulted in over 6,000 deaths by 2024. The Pope's African tour began in Algeria, where he visited the birthplace of Saint Augustine and celebrated mass. His stay in Algeria was marked by twin suicide attacks in Blida, though these were not believed to be connected to his presence. The tour has also been overshadowed by comments from US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance regarding the Pope's calls for peace in the Middle East. Pope Leo XIV responded to these remarks by stating, "The Gospel says... blessed are the peacemakers." This visit marks the fourth t
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