“The time has come, now and not tomorrow”: Pope Leo XIV preaches urgency of peace in historic Bamenda Mass

🇨🇲 2026 Papal Visit to Cameroon | Special Coverage by Hilltopvoices

The city of Bamenda stands at the centre of a defining religious and political moment this Thursday 16 Aprl as Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Bamenda Airport, wearing a traditionally inspired Toghu-designed chasuble that visually grounds the liturgy in grass field cultural identity.

In a homily delivered before thousands gathered for the historic celebration, the Pope describes himself as a “pilgrim of peace and unity,” telling worshippers that he comes not only to visit but to share in their struggles, hopes and wounds.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” he says, linking the Gospel message to what he describes as the lived reality of communities affected by poverty, corruption, weakened institutions and the strain of ongoing conflict.

The Pope speaks candidly about the challenges facing Cameroon, pointing to social and economic hardship, pressure on education and health systems, and the migration of young people seeking opportunity abroad. He also condemns what he calls external exploitation of the African continent and internal systems that perpetuate inequality and violence.

“The time has come to change,” he declares, stressing that transformation must happen “now and not tomorrow,” calling for what he describes as the rebuilding of a “mosaic of unity” from the country’s diversity.

The homily moves between consolation and urgency. The Pope warns against resignation in the face of prolonged crisis, arguing that persistent hardship can dull hope and normalise suffering. He instead calls for what he terms renewed moral courage, anchored in faith and active responsibility.

Drawing from scripture, he cites the apostles’ defiance before authority, declaring “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” He presents this as a call not to political rebellion, but to moral clarity and accountability in public life.

He further urges believers to become “builders of peace and fraternity,” insisting that obedience to God, as he frames it, is a path to freedom, not constraint.

The Pope also touches on questions of religious practice and belief, cautioning against the blending of faith with what he describes as esoteric or manipulative traditions, and calling for a purified commitment to the Gospel.

The Mass, marked by the Pope’s use of a culturally significant liturgical vestment, is widely seen as both symbolic recognition of local identity and an appeal for deeper integration between faith and lived reality.

The Bamenda celebration is part of Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic journey to Africa since his election in May 2025, a ten-day itinerary covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, with a thematic focus on dialogue, reconciliation and peacebuilding.

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By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web

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