Pope Leo Addresses Cameroon Insurgency, Urges Investment in Peace Over Conflict During Visit

Pope Leo criticized global leaders for spending billions on wars instead of investing in healing, education, and restoration during a visit to Cameroon, a region affected by a deadly insurgency. Speaking in the north-western city of Bamenda, he condemned an endless cycle of destabilization and death fueled by those who profit from the land's resources and invest in weapons.

The Pope stated, "The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild," highlighting the human cost of conflict in the region.

Violence in Bamenda has resulted in at least 6,000 deaths and displaced many more amid a separatist insurgency ongoing since 2017 in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions. He also criticized those who manipulate the name of God for personal gain in the context of the conflict.

The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed support for the Pope's call for peace following his address.

-born Pope elected last year, is on a wide-ranging Africa tour that includes stops in 11 cities across four countries. This is his second major foreign visit since his election.

More than a fifth of the world's Catholics, approximately 288 million people, live in Africa according to 2024 figures.