Pope Leo XIV celebrating a big Mass in Cameroon
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV urged Cameroon's youth to resist corruption and focus on serving the common good during a Mass in Douala, emphasizing faith, perseverance, and hope despite poverty and disillusionment.
- The Mass, held in front of the Japoma sports stadium, attracted around 120,000 attendees, far fewer than the 600,000 initially predicted by the Vatican.
- Cameroon, with a median age of 18 and a population of 29 million, faces significant challenges including youth unemployment, economic inequality, and brain drain, particularly in the health sector.
- The pope criticized long-term President Paul Biya's government for corruption and urged investment in youth education and entrepreneurship as essential for peace and progress.
- Recent political tensions, including protests following Biya’s re-election in 2023, highlight growing frustration among young Cameroonians over governance and economic opportunities.
