Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

AdvertisementAfricaWorldAfricaPope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 peopleBelievers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments 3-MIN READ3-MIN1 ListenReutersPublished: 1:15am, 18 Apr 2026Pope Leo called on Cameroonians on Friday to reject violence and be generous with their neighbours during an event billed as the biggest of his four-nation Africa tour, with roughly 120,000 people flocking to a mass he led in the port city of Douala. Amid heavy security, some believers had made their way on Thursday to the city’s Japoma ‌Stadium, venue of the mass, and slept overnight outside on mats to hear Friday’s address from the pontiff, who has become outspoken on war and inequality and has drawn the ire of US President Donald Trump. By Friday morning, streets near the stadium were lined with crowds singing, dancing and holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat. AdvertisementAfter arriving in Douala, Cameroon’s largest city and economic hub, by plane from the capital Yaounde, Leo told the crowd that many in the country are suffering from “material and spiritual poverty”, but he urged believers to reject violence as a means to get ahead, regardless of the hardships they face. “Do not give in to distrust and discouragement,” the pope said, in an appeal ⁠made in English during a speech that was otherwise mostly in French. Pope Leo leads mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: Vatican Media via dpa“Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive.” AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x