Pope Leo XIV Draws 120,000 to Open-Air Mass in Cameroon, Urges Hope Amid Poverty, Conflict

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a massive open-air Mass in Douala on Friday, drawing an estimated 120,000 worshippers in a powerful display of Catholicism’s rapid growth across Africa.

Speaking at Japoma Stadium during his ongoing African tour, the pontiff addressed pressing issues facing the nation, including poverty, violence and corruption. Roughly 30% of Cameroon’s population identifies as Catholic, while Africa as a whole is home to about one-fifth of the world’s Catholic faithful.

In his homily, Pope Leo urged resilience and moral clarity, calling on citizens to resist despair and reject violence. He emphasized the importance of shared values such as faith, family, hospitality and hard work, describing them as the country’s true wealth.

Cameroon continues to face significant economic challenges, with tens of millions living in poverty. Drawing on the biblical story of the loaves and fishes, the pope highlighted the importance of sharing resources, while stressing that spiritual nourishment is just as vital as physical sustenance.

The Mass marked the third day of the pope’s 10-day այց to Africa. Earlier, he visited Bamenda, a region at the center of the long-running Anglophone Crisis, where he delivered a message of peace amid ongoing separatist violence.

Pope Leo is expected to continue his यात्रा with stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, reinforcing his call for unity, reconciliation and hope across the continent.