Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026 [1], urging the faithful to reject violence and abuse.
This visit comes amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian hardship in the country, where the Pope's message of peace is intended to discourage the cycle of violence.
An estimated 120,000 people [1] attended the event at a packed stadium in the economic capital. While some reports indicate the crowd size was more than 100,000 [3], the higher-trust tier sources maintain the 120,000 figure [1, 2].
"We must reject the deceit of violence and abuse," the Pope said. He urged the crowd to be "architects of peace" [2] and emphasized that the Eucharist sustains the faithful amid fear and suffering [4].
During the ceremony, the Pope addressed the youth of Cameroon, calling on them to reject not only violence but also corruption [5]. He highlighted the challenges of food crisis and poverty facing the region [6].
The pontiff's address focused on the need for a sustainable peace that transcends political divisions. He spoke to the crowd about the necessity of creating a culture of dialogue over conflict.
Throughout the event, the Pope emphasized that the Eucharist is a source of strength for those suffering. He called on all citizens to prioritize the peace-building process over the desire for revenge.
“We must reject the violence and abuse.”
The visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon serves as a symbolic gesture of international attention on Cameroon's internal conflicts. By framing the call for peace as a spiritual and moral imperative, the Vatican is attempting to leverage its influence to stabilize a region plagued by humanitarian crises and food insecurity, while avoiding direct political interference.
