Pope Leo XIV has criticized foreign exploitation of Africa's wealth during his recent visit to conflict-affected regions of Cameroon. Speaking to approximately 20,000 worshippers in Bamenda, he emphasized that outsiders continue to profit from Africa while exacerbating internal strife.
The Pope's remarks come amid a backdrop of a brutal and lengthy separatist insurgency in the region, where citizens have suffered significantly over the last decade. His message encourages communities to unite against those exploiting their resources for profit.
In the name of profit, they continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it, he remarked during a Mass at Bamenda Airport, shortly after being welcomed by jubilant crowds singing and waving flags.
Earlier in his visit, Pope Leo addressed a peace meeting addressing the nearly ten-year-long conflict between Anglophone separatists and government forces, a confrontation that has led to thousands of deaths and displacement. The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, he told attendees, urging an end to the cycle of violence perpetuated by armed conflicts and called for the government to combat corruption.
Many in Cameroon view the Pope's presence as a glimmer of hope amid their crisis, which they feel has been neglected by international communities. The Archbishop of Bamenda stated that the Pope's visit could inspire peace and unity for the beleaguered region.
Pope Leo XIV's messages resonate with ongoing local sentiments and criticisms directed towards the Cameroonian government, which has been accused of mismanagement and a lack of action to address the ongoing conflicts and corruption. His visit is part of a larger tour across Africa, aiming to foster dialogue and peace across the continent.
