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 centre 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. Commentators say the Pope has been unusually blunt in his speeches in Cameroon. 'Hearts must be set free from an idolatrous thirst for profit,' the pontiff said as the world's oldest head of state sat on impassively.
Pope Leo's visit, which continues with future stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, aims to promote peace amidst conflict and highlight the potential of the younger generation and the role of women in building a better future.
He has spent the day in Bamenda, a city at the centre 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. Commentators say the Pope has been unusually blunt in his speeches in Cameroon. 'Hearts must be set free from an idolatrous thirst for profit,' the pontiff said as the world's oldest head of state sat on impassively.
Pope Leo's visit, which continues with future stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, aims to promote peace amidst conflict and highlight the potential of the younger generation and the role of women in building a better future.
