Pope Leo condemns war and corruption during Cameroon visit

During his four-country tour of Africa, Pope Leo visited Cameroon on Thursday to address ongoing regional instability. In a meeting with President Paul Biya and Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, the Pope called for an end to the decade-long conflict in the country's anglophone regions, which has resulted in thousands of deaths. He also urged the government to eradicate systemic corruption and resist the influence of powerful interests. The pontiff sharply criticized global leaders who spend billions on warfare while neglecting resources for education and healing. Furthermore, he denounced the use of religious rhetoric to justify military, economic, or political agendas. These comments follow recurring public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has targeted the Pope twice during the current African tour. While the Cameroonian government denies allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, the Pope maintained an outspoken stance, marking a shift in his communication style as he nears his one-year anniversary as leader of the Catholic Church.