“Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”. It is in memorial of this phrase always pronounced during the liturgy of the Eucharist that Pope Leo XIV visited Bamenda, capital of the North West Region of Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026
The region became a global focal point for peace as Pope Leo XIV arrived for a historic pastoral visit on board a Camair-co Boeing 737. Touching down at the Bafut airport around 11:00 AM, the Holy Father was met by a high-level delegation led by Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration and personal representative of the Head of State. Amidst a sea of thousands of faithful and curious onlookers, the Pontiff’s arrival signaled a profound moment of solidarity for a region that has endured over a decade of social and political unrest.
The visit was deeply symbolic, designed to provide spiritual balm to a population “martyrized” by long-standing security crises. Traveling to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Mankon, the Pope acted as an “artisan of peace,” listening to the harrowing testimonies of victims and clergy alike. Addressing a diverse gathering of Catholic, Muslim, and other Christian communities, he urged all parties to the conflict to renounce violence. He emphasized that the “Good News” must translate into a renewed dialogue between “brothers of the same father,” ensuring that harmony and the culture of “living together” take root.
In a powerful visual display of his mission, Pope Leo XIV stood on the steps of the Mankon Cathedral and released seven white doves into the sky. “Today the Lord has chosen all of us to be the workers who bring peace to this land!” the Pope declared, praying that the symbolic birds would carry a message of reconciliation to those “pulling strings from the shadows.” This gesture was intended as a direct appeal to end the instability that has forced countless Cameroonians into exile and deepened the humanitarian misery of the region.
The spirit of unity extended across the Ecclesiastical Province, as a delegation from the Diocese of Buea, led by Bishop Michael Bibi, traveled to Bamenda to welcome the Holy Father. Their presence highlighted the strong bond between the English-speaking regions and the Universal Church. The delegation presented the Pope with gifts, symbolizing their gratitude and unwavering faith, further cementing the sense of togetherness and shared mission among the people of God in the face of ongoing hardship.
During a massive outdoor Mass on the tarmac of the Bamenda airport—attended by approximately 20,000 people—the Pope delivered a sobering yet hopeful homily. He voiced his support for a future where human dignity and fundamental rights are guaranteed, while frankly addressing the “many problems afflicting this beautiful land.” He specifically pointed to widespread poverty, the food crisis, and the scourge of corruption in wealth management, which he noted has severely hindered the development of essential infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
In his final address, the Pontiff did not shy away from the external factors complicating Cameroon’s path to stability. He decried the “damage caused from outside” by those who exploit the African continent for profit, as well as the internal hatred that fuels migration among the youth. As the Governors of the North West and South West regions, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique and Bernard Okala Bilai, looked on, the Pope’s visit concluded as a clarion call for total transformation, leaving the “Lord’s flock” with a renewed mandate to become active laborers in the vineyard of peace.
