Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Cameroon, part of his wider Africa tour, brought large crowds and a string of public and pastoral engagements in Douala and Yaoundé. Authorities and organizers said his open-air Mass in Douala attracted roughly 120,000 worshippers, filling the grounds for the liturgy and meeting the pope with sustained cheers and applause.
The pope met students and faculty at the Catholic University of Central Africa, directing much of his message to young people. He urged them to maintain hope and perseverance, to reject abuse, violence and the lure of easy gains that harden the heart, and to resist distrust and discouragement in the face of challenges. In his talks and during parts of the liturgy he offered prayers and blessings for those who are suffering and singled out hospital staff and religious sisters for praise for their dedication and care.
At a visit to a Catholic hospital, Pope Leo offered consolation and prayers for patients, staff and the religious sisters who serve there, asking for God’s grace and resilience for caregivers. Public events included several symbolic moments — among them the release of white doves as a gesture for peace — and he imparted the Lord’s blessing to attendees and local leaders.
The trip unfolded amid heightened attention to the pope’s outspoken positions and public disputes with political figures, including an ongoing feud with President Trump that has attracted international coverage. The Cameroon engagements mixed pastoral outreach with public liturgy, drawing strong local turnout and global interest. CBS News released video highlights and excerpts from the Mass and other events, further amplifying international attention to the visit.