Speaking in the anglophone city of Bamenda, the pope criticized leaders for spending billions on wars while neglecting essential sectors such as healthcare, education, and reconstruction. He said those driving conflicts ignore the long-term devastation caused by war.
“The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,” he said, urging a “decisive change of course.”
Pope Leo also denounced the use of religion to justify violence, warning against exploiting faith for political or military gain. He described such actions as a distortion of sacred values and called for global moral accountability.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following public criticism from Trump, who recently targeted the pope on social media. Despite this, Leo has avoided direct responses and reiterated his commitment to speaking out against the ongoing Iran conflict.
During his visit, the pope held a mass attended by thousands and called for unity and peace in Cameroon’s conflict-hit regions. He also urged the country’s leadership, including President Paul Biya, to address corruption and resist external pressures that contribute to instability.
The visit has sparked cautious hope in Cameroon’s anglophone regions, where a separatist conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more. A separatist alliance announced a temporary three-day ceasefire to allow safe movement during the pope’s visit.
Pope Leo highlighted the need for dialogue and reconciliation, expressing hope that religious leaders could play a role in mediating peace and preventing further escalation in the region.
