« The World Needs The Message Of Peace, Justice »

Below is the welcome address by H.E. Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon during the Apostolic journey of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV toCameroon, meeting with authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.

“Most Holy Father,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you on the occasion of this historic visit, the fourth by a Supreme Pontiff to Cameroon.

The Cameroonian people thank you very much for your visit and realize what an exceptional privilege it is to welcome Your Holiness on your first tour of Africa, only a few months after your accession to the Chair of Saint Peter. They are especially grateful for your visit.

On their behalf, I would like to extend a warm welcome and wishes for a pleasant stay in our country to Your Holiness and the delegation accompanying you.

Most Holy Father,

Your apostolic journey to Cameroon is taking place within a particularly challenging international context.

The world is being shaken by increasingly serious crises and conflicts that are causing death and desolation. Nations are facing mounting economic difficulties. Poverty continues to spread. People everywhere are suffering. Anxiety and uncertainty weigh heavily on the hearts of many.

Your Holiness,

In the face of looming chaos, the message of peace and harmony that you bring resonates deeply in our hearts. Like a refreshing and invigorating spring, it quenches our thirst for concord.

This message awakens in us a feeling that humanity was beginning to lose amid the whirlwind of our ambitions, our pretensions, our hatred and our intolerance. That feeling is hope.

Yes, Your Holiness.

Humanity is desperately in need of hope. Hope for a new world. A world in which the path of dialogue would replace the sound of guns. A world where the huge resources devoted to war would be used to improve the well-being of peoples.

From the very beginning of the papacy of Your Holiness, you chose to be the bearer of this message.

We are well aware that this is not an easy mission. The path you have chosen is steep and rocky. Yet, I am confident that you will not give up. I am confident that you will persevere. Your exemplary record, the strength of your convictions, and the faith that sustains you give me this assurance.

Yes, Your Holiness.

The world needs the message of peace, justice, tolerance, forgiveness, and love that you bring.

The religious fervour of the people you will meet in Bamenda, Douala and Yaounde will enable you to assess the Cameroonian people’s attachment to these values. We successfully drew our inspiration, among other things, from these values in seeking solutions to the crises our country has faced in recent years.

Your Holiness,

Cameroon is well known for its religious tolerance. Many religions coexist peacefully in our country, a reality in which we take justified pride.

Relations between Cameroon and the Catholic Church are long-standing and have been marked by trust and cordiality.

We are pleased with the Catholic Church’s invaluable contribution to the development of key sectors of our country’s social activity such as health and education.

We remain committed to strengthening these relations. The visit you are starting today will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to this endeavour.”