Pope Leo XIV delivered a series of fiery speeches during a three-day visit to Cameroon that drew global attention, denouncing corruption, condemning foreign exploitation of African resources and calling out a “handful of tyrants” he says are tearing the world apart with war and greed.

The American-born pontiff arrived in Cameroon on April 15, 2026, as part of an 11-day pastoral tour of four African nations. What was expected to be a standard diplomatic visit quickly became something far more charged — both because of the pope’s unflinching rhetoric on the ground and because of the escalating war of words between the Vatican and the Trump administration playing out in real time.

'I Am Here to Proclaim Peace'

The most dramatic moment of the Cameroon visit came on April 16 when Pope Leo traveled to Bamenda, the largest city in the country’s English-speaking northwest — and the epicenter of a separatist conflict that has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000 since 2017.

At Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, the pope presided over an interfaith peace meeting that brought together a traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun. He loudly and passionately declared, “I am here to proclaim peace,” drawing a massive response from the crowd packed both inside and outside the cathedral.

Among the testimonies shared was that of Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu, a nun who had been kidnapped by separatist fighters just months earlier and held hostage for three days. “We neither slept nor ate,” she said. “What kept our hope alive was the rosary which we prayed continuously for those days.” The pope also heard from Denis Salo, a father of three who fled his home in 2017, abandoning his house, farms and animals to escape the violence.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Pope Leo released white doves alongside community representatives, calling the region a “bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated.”

A Direct Challenge to Cameroon's Leaders

Pope Leo did not confine his criticisms to vague generalities. Speaking at the presidential palace in Yaounde on the day of his arrival, flanked by 93-year-old President Paul Biya — the world’s oldest sitting head of state — the pontiff called for “transparency in the management of public resources and respect for the rule of law.”

He told government officials and diplomats that “the chains of corruption — which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility — must be broken.” Cameroon ranked 142 out of 180 on the Transparency International 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Biya won a controversial eighth term in October 2025 amid what human rights groups described as widespread irregularities. Before the visit, a prominent Jesuit priest in Cameroon, Father Ludovic Lado, had publicly urged the pope not to come, warning the trip could be seen as an endorsement of Biya’s government.

Separatists Declare Ceasefire in Pope's Honor

In a rare move, the separatist Unity Alliance announced a three-day pause in hostilities ahead of the pope’s arrival. A spokesperson said the pause reflected the “profound spiritual importance” of the visit and was intended to allow civilians, pilgrims and dignitaries to travel safely. Bishop Michael Bibi of Buea noted it was the first time the separatist alliance had ever declared a ceasefire.

The conflict is rooted in Cameroon’s colonial history. After World War I, the country was divided between France and Britain. English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 U.N.-backed vote, but separatists say they have since been politically and economically marginalized. In 2017, armed groups launched a rebellion seeking to establish an independent state called Ambazonia.

Not everyone was optimistic. Morine Ngum, a 30-year-old mother whose husband was shot dead by Cameroonian soldiers in 2022, told reporters: “Nothing is going to change. This conflict has turned my children into orphans and me into a widow.”

Tensions With the Trump Administration

The Cameroon visit unfolded against a backdrop of intensifying friction between the Vatican and Washington. Pope Leo’s criticism of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran — he called Trump’s threats to destroy Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable” — drew a sharp response from the Trump administration. Vice President JD Vance urged the pope to “be careful” when speaking about theology, and Trump himself attacked the pontiff as “weak on crime and soft on foreign policy.”

In one post, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as Christ, which he later deleted. Pope Leo responded firmly, stating he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue his calls for peace.

The pope wrapped up his Cameroon visit on April 17 with a massive Mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, where more than 600,000 people were expected. He urged the country’s young people to resist the temptation of corruption and work instead to serve the common good. One tangible outcome of the visit: Bamenda’s airport, shut since 2019 because of the violence, was renovated for the trip and is expected to remain open.

Pope Leo departed Cameroon for Angola on April 18, continuing a tour that has already redefined how this American pope engages with global conflict — and with his own country’s government.