Pope Leo XIV has criticized foreigners who exploit the wealth of Africa for profit during his visit to a conflict-hit region of Cameroon.
It is one of several forthright remarks he has made over the last day, including blasting those who spend billions on wars and telling Cameroon's government to root out corruption for peace to prevail.
He has spent the day in Bamenda, a city at the center of Cameroon's brutal and long-running separatist rebellion.
Internal problems were exacerbated by outsiders who in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it, he told an estimated 20,000 worshippers at a Mass at Bamenda Airport.
Earlier, joyful crowds sang, drummed and waved flags to welcome the leader of the Catholic Church, who arrived under military escort in a bullet-proof white vehicle.
Ahead of his visit, Anglophone separatists had announced a period of safe travel passage.
The Pope's first stop was at a peace meeting in Bamenda held at Saint Joseph's Cathedral about the nearly 10-year insurgency in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions that has left at least 6,000 people dead and many more forced from their homes.
He highlighted how those who rob the land of its resources often invest in weapons, perpetuating a cycle of destabilization and death.
The visit comes amid calls for an end to the fighting and broader peace initiatives across the continent. Pope Leo XIV’s comments resonate with ongoing concerns regarding the role of foreign interests in Africa’s conflicts.
In a broader context, he emphasized the potential for unity in diversity and urged collaboration among communities to foster peace and development.
Pope Leo's visit also drew attention to the need for government accountability. He told Cameroon's leadership at a reception that corruption undermines authority and peace efforts.
As the Pope continues his journey across Africa, he aims to deliver messages of reconciliation, prosperity, and social justice.
