After fulfilling his wish to visit ancient Hippo – a place closely linked to his spiritual father Saint Augustine – Pope Leo XIV leaves Algeria on Wednesday, April 15, and proceeds to the second stage of his apostolic journey to Africa – Cameroon. In this country, he will primarily bring a message of reconciliation and hope, especially to young people, encouraging peace and social justice, as reported by Vatican News.
Appeal to Algerian Catholics
The first stage of Leo XIV’s pilgrimage to Africa – his visit to Algeria – is coming to an end. The Holy Father visited the country as the first Pope in history. On Tuesday, he emotionally fulfilled his long-held wish by visiting the ruins of ancient Hippo in Annaba. It was there that Saint Augustine served as bishop for over 30 years.
In his message to Algerians, delivered during the highlight of the visit – Holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba – Leo XIV appealed: “Dearest Algerian Christians, remain on this land as a humble and faithful sign of Christ’s love,” he said.
He expressed his desire for Catholics in Algeria – who make up only about 2 percent of the population – to bear witness to Christianity’s presence in these lands, which are increasingly being abandoned by young people.
Arrival in Cameroon and visit to an orphanage
On Wednesday, April 15, after a private Mass, the Pope will bid farewell to local authorities shortly before 10:00 a.m. local time (around 11:00 a.m. in Poland) during a brief ceremony at the airport, before departing for Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. The flight is expected to last approximately five hours.
Upon arrival in Yaoundé, the Holy Father will meet with the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, followed by meetings with state authorities and the diplomatic corps, to whom he will deliver a speech. In the evening, he will visit the Ngul Zamba orphanage and meet with the Bishops’ Conference of Cameroon.
Following in the footsteps of John Paul II and Benedict XVI
The Catholic Church in Cameroon is one of the most dynamic communities in Central Africa, with over 8.3 million faithful and a well-developed pastoral structure. On the eve of Pope Leo XIV’s visit, its presence in the country’s social, educational, and charitable life remains strong and significant.
This visit echoes earlier papal journeys – by John Paul II in 1985, who spoke about hope, and by Benedict XVI in 2009, who called for reconciliation, justice, and peace.
Leo XIV will encounter “a country experiencing complex challenges related to the coexistence of different realities,” including crises in the north, southwest, and far north, as well as what has been described as the “poison” of fundamentalism, particularly among young people. At the same time, the Pope will also witness efforts by religious communities to promote peace, recognize the role of authorities, civil society, and women, and address environmental and integral human development issues – especially in the context of the upcoming 11th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’ by Pope Francis.
Message of reconciliation and Mass for 600,000
The Holy Father will remain in Cameroon until April 18, visiting three cities: Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. As Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, stated in an interview with Vatican News, the Pope is traveling to the country as a bearer of hope – especially for young people – as well as reconciliation and peace. His message is an invitation to dialogue and mutual respect.
For several years, an armed conflict has been ongoing in the country’s English-speaking regions, led by Anglophone separatists. Over the past decade, it has claimed around 6,000 lives, and one million people have been forced to flee their homes. Kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common.
Separatists have announced a temporary suspension of hostilities during the Pope’s visit. Thursday’s visit to Bamenda – a city severely affected by deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions – highlights the concern and care that the Successor of Peter shows for his flock.
The Pope will celebrate Mass there for approximately 20,000 people. His message remains an invitation to dialogue and mutual respect.
The culmination of the visit will be Friday’s Mass near the Japoma Stadium in Douala, where around 600,000 faithful are expected to gather.