Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace , Justice, unity and respect of Human Rights in Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV 

To guarantee Peace Unity and Development,Pope Leo XIV has exhorted Cameroon government to embrace the culture of peace,unity ,respect of Human Rights and good governance. He was recieved upon arrival by the Prime Minister Dr Chief Dion Ngute

See full speech "moutatis motandy" below.

Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

Presidential Palace – Yaoundé, Cameroon

Address of the Holy Father

"Mr. President,

Distinguished Authorities and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I sincerely thank you for the warm welcome that has been extended to me and for the words of greeting addressed to me. It is a profound joy to be in Cameroon, often described as “Africa in miniature” because of the richness of its lands, cultures, languages, and traditions. This diversity is not a weakness but a treasure. It is a promise of fraternity and a solid foundation for building lasting peace.

I come among you as a pastor and servant of dialogue, fraternity, and peace. My visit expresses the affection of the Successor of Peter for all Cameroonians, as well as the desire to encourage everyone to continue, with enthusiasm and perseverance, building the common good. We are living in a time when resignation is spreading and a sense of helplessness tends to paralyze the renewal that peoples deeply desire. How much hunger and thirst for justice! How much desire for participation, vision, courageous choices, and peace! My great wish is to touch the heart of each person, especially the young, who are called to shape a more just world, including in the political sphere. I also wish to strengthen cooperation between the Holy Sea  and the Republic of Cameroon, founded on mutual respect, the dignity of every human person, and religious freedom.

Cameroon remembers the visits of my predecessors: that of Saint John Paul II, a messenger of hope for all the peoples of Africa, and that of Benedict XVI, who emphasized the importance of reconciliation, justice, and peace, as well as the moral responsibility of leaders. These moments have marked your national history as demanding calls to service, unity, and justice. We may therefore ask ourselves: where are we now? How has the Word proclaimed to us borne fruit? And what still remains to be done?

Sixteen hundred years ago, Saint Augustine wrote words that are still very relevant:

“Those who command serve those whom they appear to command. They do not command out of a desire for domination, but out of a duty to provide; not out of pride, but out of compassion to protect.”

In this perspective, serving one’s country means dedicating oneself, with clear vision and integrity, to the common good of all the people majority and minorities alike in mutual harmony.

Today, like many other nations, your country is going through complex trials. The tensions and violence affecting certain regions have caused deep suffering: lives lost, families displaced, children deprived of schooling, and young people who see no future. Behind statistics are faces, stories, and broken hopes. Faced with such dramatic situations, at the beginning of this year I invited humanity to reject the logic of violence and war and to embrace a peace founded on love and justice—a disarmed peace, not based on fear or weapons, and a disarming peace, capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts, and inspiring trust, empathy, and hope. Peace must not be reduced to a slogan; it must take flesh in a personal and institutional way of life that rejects all forms of violence. I repeat firmly: the world thirsts for peace. Enough of wars, with their painful toll of death, destruction, and displacement.

Peace is not decreed; it is welcomed and lived. It is a gift from God that grows through patient and collective effort. It is the responsibility of all, especially civil authorities. To govern is to love one’s country, but also neighboring countries. “Love your neighbor as yourself” also applies to international relations. To govern is to truly listen to citizens, valuing their intelligence and their ability to contribute to lasting solutions. Pope Francis emphasized the need to overcome a model of policies done for the poor but never with the poor.

Civil society must be seen as a vital force for national cohesion. Associations, women’s and youth groups, unions, NGOs, traditional and religious leaders all play an irreplaceable role in building social peace. They are the first to respond in times of tension, to support victims, to open dialogue, and to encourage mediation. They help form consciences and promote a culture of dialogue and respect for differences. I wish to highlight especially the role of women, who, though often victims of injustice, are tireless builders of peace. Their voice must be fully recognized in decision-making processes.

In the face of such dedication, transparency in managing public resources and respect for the rule of law are essential to restore trust. It is time for a courageous examination of conscience and a decisive step forward. Public authority must be a bridge, never a source of division. Security is important, but it must always respect human rights and protect the most vulnerable. True peace arises when everyone feels protected, heard, and respected.

The high responsibilities you bear require a double witness: collaboration among state institutions for the service of the people—especially the poor—and a life of personal integrity. To establish peace and justice, the chains of corruption must be broken. The true gain is integral human development—the balanced growth of all aspects of life.

Cameroon has the human, cultural, and spiritual resources needed to overcome its trials and move toward stability and shared prosperity. Young people are the hope of the country and the Church. Their energy and creativity are invaluable. Investing in their education, training, and entrepreneurship is essential for peace and for preventing the loss of talent and the spread of social ills.

Fortunately, young Cameroonians possess a deep spirituality that resists materialism. Religious traditions, when not distorted by extremism, inspire peace, justice, forgiveness, and solidarity. By promoting interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in mediation, politics and diplomacy can rely on strong moral forces to ease tensions and foster mutual respect. The Catholic Church in Cameroon, through its educational, health, and charitable works, wishes to continue serving all citizens without distinction and to collaborate loyally with civil authorities and all forces of the nation.

May God bless Cameroon, support its leaders, inspire civil society, guide the work of the Diplomatic Corps, and grant all the Cameroonian people—Christians and non-Christians alike—the grace to welcome the Kingdom of God by building together a future of justice and peace".

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