Cameroon: Pope Leo condemns tyrants, war spending
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Bamenda, Cameroon – Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful speech in Bamenda, warning that the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and condemning leaders who devote vast resources to war instead of education, healing, and development. He said governments should redirect military spending toward schools, hospitals, and projects that support human dignity and social progress. According to Reuters, he also criticized the use of religion for political and military purposes, rejecting efforts to weaponize faith or to manipulate religious belief to justify conflict, repression, or geopolitical ambition. Bamenda, Cameroon – The address came shortly after an online clash in which former U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the Pope’s stance on the war with Iran, and news outlets reported that many observers saw Leo’s remarks as delivered under that public pressure, even though he did not name Trump or any other leader. The speech took place in Cameroon’s anglophone region, where conflict since 2017 has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000, and where local groups briefly paused violence during the papal visit. Against that backdrop, the Pope called for peace, unity, and an end to corruption and exploitation in Cameroon and beyond.
Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- 2017 Conflict escalates in anglophone Cameroon region
- Since 2017 Over 6,000 reportedly killed in violence
- Since 2017 Around 600,000 people displaced internally
- Recently Trump criticizes Pope over Iran war
- This week Pope visits Bamenda amid fragile calm
- This week Local groups briefly pause regional violence
- This week Pope condemns tyrants, war expenditure
- This week Pope urges peace, unity, anti-corruption
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