Pope Leo XIV sharply criticized the "cuff of tyrants" who are destroying the Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace on Thursday at the epicenter of a separatist conflict considered one of the world's most neglected crises.
According to foreign media, Telegrafi reports, Leo traveled to the western Cameroonian city of Bamenda, where jubilant crowds filled the streets, honking horns and dancing.
They were overjoyed that a pope had come so far to see them and to bring global attention to the violence that has traumatized this region for nearly a decade.
Leo chaired a peace meeting, the purpose of which was to highlight the interfaith movement that has sought to end the conflict and care for its many victims.
In his speech, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against allowing religion to become involved in conflicts.
It's a theme he has repeated amid the US-Israeli war in Iran and the religious justifications for it by American officials.
“Blessed are the peacemakers!” he said. “But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their military, economic and political gain, dragging what is sacred into darkness and filth.”
He called for a "decisive change of course" that moves away from conflict and the exploitation of the land and its people for military or economic gain.
"The world is being destroyed by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!" /Telegrafi/
