Over 40,000 faithful gathered at Bamenda International Airport for the Pontifical Mass of Pope Leo XIV, a powerful moment marked by emotional worship, strong messages on peace, and a united call for national renewal in Cameroon.
By Magnus Ful
The celebration brought together a broad cross section of society, including military and administrative authorities, bishops from across Cameroon and ACERAC, traditional rulers, clergy, religious men and women, and Christian faithful from within and outside the Northwest Region. Catholics and non-Catholics stood together under favorable weather conditions marked by cool air and no rainfall. The Mass lasted about one hour and thirty minutes, drawing intense participation from a visibly moved congregation.
A Gathering of Faith and National Representation
The scale of participation reflected the importance of the visit. The airport site became a symbolic meeting point of Church and State, tradition and modern governance, faith and civic life. The presence of senior officials and Church leaders from across Cameroon reinforced the national dimension of the celebration.
The faithful responded with prayerful attention throughout the liturgy, as the Pope’s presence anchored a moment many described as historic for the region. The atmosphere remained calm, yet emotionally charged, with visible expressions of joy and hope.
Pope Leo XIV: A Call to Courage and Transformation
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV described himself as “a pilgrim of peace and unity,” emphasizing closeness to the suffering of the people.
“I come among you and I share your journey, your pains and your hopes.”
He highlighted both faith and resilience, recalling the words of the Psalms:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The Pope also addressed the challenges facing the country, including poverty, corruption, weakened institutions, and youth migration.
“Now is the time to change, to transform the history of this country… to rebuild, to compose again the mosaic of unity.”
He urged courage and moral responsibility:
“It is necessary to obey God rather than men.”
For the Pope, true freedom comes from truth and obedience to God, which leads to peacebuilding and social transformation.
Bamenda’s Response: Gratitude, Faith, and Hope for Peace
In a deeply emotional response after the Mass, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda.
“People of goodwill in the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda lack words to adequately thank you for this visit… which has brought us spiritual uplift, moral encouragement, psychological boost and physical consolation.”
He described the Pope as a “good shepherd who never leaves his flock untended,” adding that his presence came at a moment of insecurity and uncertainty.
“We see your coming to Bamenda as laying down your life for your sheep.”
The Archbishop linked the visit to biblical images of faith under trial:
“When we see you in Bamenda today, we remember Daniel in the lion’s den.”
He expressed confidence that the visit would bear lasting fruit:
“We are confident that the peace you have come to pray for shall return once again to this ecclesiastical province of Bamenda.”
He concluded with a vision of reconciliation inspired by Isaiah:
“The lion and the lamb will live in peace… Nation will not lift sword against nation.”
The Apostolic Journey continues tomorrow in Douala, where another Pontifical Mass is scheduled at Japoma Stadium, extending what many faithful now describe as a defining moment for the Church and the nation.
FRENCH
Plus de 25 000 fidèles ont pris part à la messe pontificale présidée par le pape Léon XIV à l’aéroport de Bamenda, dans une atmosphère de ferveur et d’unité. Autorités civiles, militaires, religieuses et traditionnelles étaient présentes, aux côtés de catholiques et non-catholiques venus de divers horizons.
Dans son homélie, le pape s’est présenté comme un « pèlerin de paix et d’unité », partageant les souffrances et les espoirs des populations. Il a dénoncé la pauvreté, la corruption et la violence, appelant à « transformer l’histoire » et à reconstruire l’unité nationale. Il a insisté sur le courage moral et l’obéissance à Dieu comme chemins vers la liberté et la paix.
En réponse, l’archevêque Andrew Nkea Fuanya a exprimé une profonde gratitude, qualifiant la visite de source de réconfort et d’espérance. Il a affirmé sa confiance en un retour de la paix, décrivant cette visite comme un tournant pour Bamenda et le Cameroun.
