Cameroon is teeming with youth: Pope urges them to bring life

According to the UN, the median age of Cameroonians is around 19, and children under 14 make up 43% of the population.

On the third day of his trip to Cameroon — the second stop of his African tour — the Pope once again took a plane to reach Douala, a city located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea about 125 miles west of Yaoundé. He met with a crowd of 120,000 people, some of whom had slept at the site all night. They welcomed his popemobile with boundless euphoria despite a scorching sun. Authorities had prepared to host up to 600,000 faithful for the Mass.

In his homily, which he began in French, the Pope reflected on the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves to feed a large crowd. The Successor of Peter noted that even today, the eyes of the destitute repeat the question that Jesus posed to his disciples: "What are you going to do for all these people?"

He explained that this question is addressed to everyone, including "those who bear social and political responsibility for the people and seek their well-being." He also pointed out that food shouldn't be "wasted by those who gorge themselves in the presence of those who have nothing to eat."

Today, "where is God in the face of people’s hunger?" the head of the Catholic Church asked, highlighting God's presence in acts of love. He added that "each act of solidarity and forgiveness, every good effort, becomes a morsel of bread for humanity in need of care."

The Pontiff then spoke at length specifically to young people in English and French, calling them the “beloved children of the African continent.” Acknowledging the material and spiritual poverty they face in the Central African country, Pope Leo XIV invited young people not to give in to "distrust and discouragement."

During his reflection, the head of the Catholic Church urged them to resist "temptations that waste your energies and do not serve the progress of society." He called on them to "reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive."

Instead, Pope Leo XIV encouraged these younger generations to "be the first faces and hands that bring the bread of life" to their neighbors. He promised them that this spiritual nourishment, which is the message of the Gospel, sustains our conscience and offers “deliverance from all that [...] robs them of their dignity."

This nourishment also allows them to leave "signs of peace amid rivalry and corruption," added the pope, who has repeatedly addressed corruption since arriving in Cameroon.

Warning equally against superstition — having pointed a finger at “traditions of an esoteric or Gnostic nature” the day before — the 267th pope reminded Cameroonians that their treasure lies in their values: "faith, family, hospitality and work."

One woman at the Mass, Juliet Fungendaka, said she was “filled with joy and happiness to receive the representative of Peter on the soil of Douala.” Overflowing with enthusiasm, she told the I.MEDIA agency that she believes this papal visit will “bring many changes to the country.”

"We don't want to feel tensions like before!" she said amid the crowd dancing around her and singing hymns at the top of their lungs.

The primary school teacher noted, "The Pope said what we are thinking. Just through his speech in Bamenda [a northern city he visited on Thursday, Ed.], he expressed the thoughts of the citizens. The population wants dialogue, unity, and peace. We need love to reign among us."

Amidst the traditional attire, a young blonde French woman, Marie-Caroline Lamarre, was smiling radiantly. A Christian who has lived in the country for 10 years after marrying a Cameroonian, she shared her emotion and her hope: "Yes, I think the Pope has a say in what is happening in Cameroon. He brings a message of faith, tolerance, and political openness to a country going through difficult times." According to her, the pontiff's “subtle messages” can open the hearts of the leaders.

At the end of the Mass, Pope Leo XIV headed to St. Paul Hospital in Douala for a brief private visit. The rest of the day included a return to Yaoundé in the afternoon, and a meeting with the Cameroonian academic community at the Catholic University of Central Africa. He also met with representative of the some 4,000 religious of the country, a meeting that was added to his schedule at the last minute.