Pope Leo XIV delivered a Mass in Douala on Friday, April 17, 2026, urging the Catholic faithful to reject violence [1].

This visit comes as Cameroon faces ongoing material and spiritual poverty, making the pontiff's call for peace a critical intervention in a region marked by instability.

Speaking at the Japoma Stadium, the Pope said, "We must be architects of peace and reject the deceit of violence and abuse" [1]. He addressed a crowd of more than 120,000 people [2], though some reports estimate the attendance at some 120,000 [1] or more than 100,000 [3].

During the service, the pontiff urged the congregation to remain steadfast in their faith despite the hardships facing the country. He said the faithful should "reject violence despite the material and spiritual poverty afflicting many in the country" [2].

Pope Leo XIV also encouraged the attendees to develop their personal growth and community strength through spiritual discipline. He said they should "multiply your talents through faith, perseverance, and friendship" [4].

Throughout the event, the pontiff focused on the necessity of peace as a foundation for national progress. He said that rejecting violence is not a mere suggestion but a requirement for those seeking to build a stable society.

“We must be architects of peace and reject the deceit of violence and abuse.”

The Pope's visit to Cameroon is a diplomatic effort to leverage the moral authority of the Catholic Church to mitigate conflict. By framing the rejection of violence as a spiritual imperative, the pontiff is attempting to stabilize a region where material deprivation often fuels social unrest.