Summary
Pope Leo XIV visited Bamenda, Cameroon, to promote peace in the region affected by a long-standing separatist conflict. He criticized leaders who use religion to justify war and called for an end to violence and exploitation.
Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV traveled to Bamenda, Cameroon, a center of a separatist conflict lasting nearly ten years.
- He spoke against "tyrants" who cause war and exploit people and land for military and economic gain.
- The Pope emphasized peace and warned against using religion to justify conflict.
- Bamenda welcomed the Pope with celebrations, including music and dancing.
- The region’s conflict began after English-speaking areas joined French-speaking Cameroon in 1961 but later felt marginalized.
- Since 2017, separatists have fought to create an independent state, resulting in over 6,000 deaths and 600,000 displaced people.
- Some separatist groups receive support from abroad; recent arrests in the U.S. and Belgium targeted individuals aiding them.
- The Pope held an interfaith peace meeting including religious leaders from different faiths.
