Pope Visits Conflict Zone in Cameroon, Condemns 'Few Tyrants' Ravaging the World
Pope Leo XIV visited Bamenda, the heart of the separatist conflict in Cameroon, and delivered a speech condemning the 'few tyrants' ravaging the world through war and exploitation.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 22:09
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 22:31 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 01:23 (50h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Bamenda, Cameroon, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV today visited Bamenda, a city in western Cameroon that is the heartland of separatist conflict. In his speech there, he condemned the "few tyrants" who are ravaging the world with war and exploitation.
According to an AP report, American-born Pope Leo XIV gave a speech at the cathedral in Bamenda, calling for a "decisive change of direction" to abandon conflict and stop exploiting the land and people for military or economic gain.
He said: "The world is being ravaged by a few tyrants, but it is also held together by countless people supporting each other!"
According to an AFP report, two English-speaking regions in Cameroon have been embroiled in armed conflict for nearly 10 years as they attempt to secede from the predominantly French-speaking Central African nation.
Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, violently suppressed peaceful demonstrations by English speakers in the country in 2016, which sparked the conflict.
Civilians have become targets of killings and kidnappings. According to UN statistics, at least 6,000 people have died since 2016.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon yesterday, marking the second stop of his trip to Africa. In his speech today, he condemned those who manipulate religion and abuse the name of God to "seek their own military, economic, and political interests."
In recent weeks, Leo XIV has also outspokenly criticized the wars waged by the US and Israel against Iran, drawing a backlash from US President Donald Trump on social media.
(CNA, Bamenda, Cameroon, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV today visited Bamenda, a city in western Cameroon that is the heartland of separatist conflict. In his speech there, he condemned the "few tyrants" who are ravaging the world with war and exploitation.
According to an AP report, American-born Pope Leo XIV gave a speech at the cathedral in Bamenda, calling for a "decisive change of direction" to abandon conflict and stop exploiting the land and people for military or economic gain.
He said: "The world is being ravaged by a few tyrants, but it is also held together by countless people supporting each other!"
According to an AFP report, two English-speaking regions in Cameroon have been embroiled in armed conflict for nearly 10 years as they attempt to secede from the predominantly French-speaking Central African nation.
Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, violently suppressed peaceful demonstrations by English speakers in the country in 2016, which sparked the conflict.
Civilians have become targets of killings and kidnappings. According to UN statistics, at least 6,000 people have died since 2016.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon yesterday, marking the second stop of his trip to Africa. In his speech today, he condemned those who manipulate religion and abuse the name of God to "seek their own military, economic, and political interests."
In recent weeks, Leo XIV has also outspokenly criticized the wars waged by the US and Israel against Iran, drawing a backlash from US President Donald Trump on social media.