Pope Leo condemns tyranny in the world following Trump comments

Pope Visits Cameroon, Calls for Change Amid Ongoing Conflict

Pope Leo XIV has made a four-country trip to Africa, including a visit to western Cameroon city of Bamenda. The pope’s message focused on the need for a “decisive change of course” that leads away from conflict and exploitation.

In a meeting involving traditional leaders and representatives of different faiths, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of peace and interfaith dialogue. He also warned against using religion to justify conflicts and called for an end to the exploitation of land and its people.

The pope’s comments came after US President Donald Trump attacked him on social media earlier this week. The pope is set to celebrate a mass for the people of Bamenda later today before returning to the capital, Yaounde.

The conflict in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions has been ongoing since 2017 and has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and more than 600,000 displaced people. Separatist fighters have launched a rebellion with the goal of establishing an independent state, but their movement is believed to be backed by several actors abroad.

The pope’s visit highlights the global attention being drawn to this crisis, which is considered one of the world’s most neglected conflicts. The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, making resource extraction a significant part of Cameroon’s economy.

A pause in fighting was announced by separatist fighters on the eve of Pope Leo XIV’s arrival, but it remains unclear if any of the fighters will attend the pope’s mass later today.

Source: Al Jazeera