Speaking to Vatican News after the Holy See Press Office confirmed the Pope’s April trip, the prelate said the news has sparked “immense hope” among citizens living through years of armed conflict and violence across several regions of Cameroon.
He stressed that the local Church expects the visit to bring clear calls for peace and reconciliation, insisting that the Pope arrives primarily as a spiritual shepherd rather than a political figure.
“The Holy Father cannot come to our country and leave us in the same condition,” he said, underscoring the depth of expectation surrounding the journey.
The papal itinerary includes stops in Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda, a route Archbishop Nkea described as symbolically significant because it touches historic centres and communities directly affected by unrest. In the North West in particular, he said, the presence of the Pope would bring comfort to people enduring years of violence linked to separatist fighting and extremist attacks, including those attributed to Boko Haram in the wider region.
Beyond the security crisis, the Archbishop also pointed to lingering political tensions following the October 2025 presidential election, where official results declared Paul Biya the winner while opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary disputed the outcome. In that climate, he said, the Pope’s voice could help calm divisions and encourage dialogue.
Archbishop Nkea called on citizens to prepare spiritually for the visit through prayer and to resist attempts to politicise the event. He urged Cameroonians, regardless of background, to see the journey as a moment of collective reflection and renewal.
For the Catholic Church in the country, he concluded, the visit represents more than a ceremonial stop. It is a chance to rekindle hope and reaffirm the possibility of peace in a nation searching for stability.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77