Pope Leo XIV approached the midpoint of his four-country African tour on Friday, dedicating the day to engaging with young people in Cameroon through a major Mass and a visit to a Catholic university.
The pontiff traveled to Douala, the country’s main port city, where he was scheduled to lead a large open-air Mass and visit a hospital.
The Vatican estimated that around 600,000 people would attend the service, making it the largest gathering expected during his 11-day visit — the first trip to Africa by an American pope.
Later in the day, back in the capital Yaoundé, he was set to meet students, faculty and administrators at the Catholic University of Central Africa. Such engagements are often used by popes, particularly in developing regions, to inspire young people to remain resilient despite challenges like poverty and corruption.
Catholics make up roughly 29% of Cameroon’s population of 29 million, in a country where the median age is just 18, reflecting a predominantly youthful society.
Earlier in the visit, Pope Leo had already addressed the country’s youth in remarks delivered during a meeting with President Paul Biya, who at 93 is the world’s oldest serving leader. In that address, the pope called for an end to what he described as the “chains of corruption” and emphasized that young people represent the nation’s future.
However, Biya’s long tenure in power since 1982 highlights ongoing tensions between a youthful population and entrenched leadership across parts of Africa.
Despite Cameroon’s status as an oil-producing nation with moderate economic growth, many young people say the benefits have not extended beyond a small elite.
“Of course, when unemployment and social exclusion persist, frustration can lead to violence,” Leo warned in his opening address to Biya and government authorities earlier this week.
“Investing in the education, training, and entrepreneurship of young people is, therefore, a strategic choice for peace. It is the only way to curb the outflow of wonderful talent to other parts of the world.”
World Bank figures show Cameroon’s unemployment rate at 3.5%, though 57% of people aged 18 to 35 are engaged in informal work.
Economic challenges have contributed to a growing brain drain, placing additional strain on sectors such as healthcare, as many trained professionals seek better opportunities abroad.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, around one-third of newly trained doctors left the country in 2023.
Public dissatisfaction with Biya’s extended rule intensified following the presidential election held last October, in which he secured an eighth term in office.
After opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary challenged the election outcome, protests erupted across the country, some of which turned deadly.
