Pope Leo XIV is traveling to Angola on Saturday as he concludes his 11-day African tour, with a final stop in Equatorial Guinea.
Ahead of his departure, more than 120,000 worshippers gathered in Douala for an open-air Mass presided over by the pontiff at the Japoma Stadium on Friday.
The event attracted massive crowds from across the country, with many faithful arriving as early as Thursday night to secure vantage positions.
The Pope was welcomed with cheers as he rode through the venue in his Popemobile, waving to the congregation.
In his homily, the pontiff emphasised peace and moral responsibility, urging “young people to shun violence, corruption, and actions that undermine societal progress.”
“Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart,” he said.
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The visit comes amid ongoing tensions in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where the Pope had earlier called “for dialogue and reconciliation following years of conflict.”
Speaking in Yaoundé, he also warned “about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, noting its potential to fuel division and distort reality.”
He cautioned that increased reliance on Artificial intelligence could weaken human interaction and promote polarisation, conflict, fear, and violence.
During his stay, the pontiff also visited St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, where he met with patients and healthcare workers.
The African tour began in Algeria, marking a historic visit to the Muslim-majority nation.
BBC