Pope Leo denounces tyranny and calls for peace during Africa tour

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:04:00 +0200

During his visit to Cameroon, Pope Leo delivered a powerful message against tyranny, corruption, and the misuse of religion to justify war. Speaking in Bamenda, a city at the center of a violent civil conflict that has caused over 65,000 deaths and displaced more than half a million people, the pope emphasized that the world is threatened by a few tyrants but supported by many good-hearted people. He called on leaders to prioritize peace and condemned the exploitation of African resources for weapons and conflict. Pope Leo also addressed criticism from US President Donald Trump, who opposed the pontiff's stance on the Iran war, particularly regarding nuclear weapons. The pope responded that his statements were not personal attacks but affirmations of the Gospel’s message. During the trip, Pope Leo engaged with the local population, including hearing testimonies from those affected by the civil war and visiting orphanages and religious sites across Cameroon and Algeria. His visit highli