Speaking to reporters on the papal plane while travelling from Algiers to Yaoundé on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV reflected on his recent Apostolic Journey to Algeria, thanking the Algerian authorities for their warm welcome and also thanked Algeria’s small but important Catholic community for their greeting. Recalling his visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers and the Basilica of St Augustine in Annaba, the Pope highlighted the lasting importance of St Augustine, saying his teachings on seeking God and truth remain deeply relevant today for Christians and all people. He noted that many Algerians, though not Catholic, still greatly respect St Augustine as one of the country’s most important historical figures. Pope Leo said his return to Annaba was personally meaningful and stressed that St Augustine’s message of unity, community and mutual respect remains valuable in today’s world. He also praised Algerian Christians for their example of living peacefully alongside Muslims and said the visit had helped strengthen dialogue and build bridges between faiths, adding that despite differences in belief and worship, people can live together in peace.
Pope Leo XIV arrived at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport near Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé yestreday, 15 April, beginning the second stage of his Apostolic Journey. The Pope travelled from Algeria, the first stop on his tour, where he had arrived on Monday, 13 April. He was welcomed on arrival by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, alongside two children, during a ceremony featuring national anthems and introductions to both delegations, before holding a brief meeting with the Prime Minister. Pope Leo’s first engagement in Cameroon is a private meeting with President Paul Barthélemy Biya at the Presidential Palace, followed by an address to authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. Later in the day, he will visit the Ngul Zamba Orphanage to meet residents and staff before concluding with a private meeting with Cameroonian bishops at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference.
Pope Leo XIV visited the children and staff of the Ngul Zamba Orphanage, where he spoke warmly of the home as a place of love, family and hope. Addressing the children, he said he was joyful to be with them and reminded them that God welcomes them as His own children, encouraging them not to let hardship, loss or abandonment define their future. He told them they were called to something greater than their wounds and said their unity as brothers and sisters in Christ gave them strength to face life’s challenges together. Reflecting on the Gospel, the Pope said Jesus cared deeply for children and still looks upon them with the same love today. He added that, in a world often marked by indifference, places such as the orphanage show the importance of caring for one another, saying, “In God’s great family, no one is ever a stranger or forgotten.” The Pope also thanked the staff, volunteers and religious sisters for their dedication, praising their work as a living example of God’s mercy, before entrusting everyone at the orphanage to the protection of the Virgin Mary.
Pope Leo will remain in Cameroon until Saturday, 18 April before continuing to Angola and Equatorial Guinea ahead of his return to Rome on Thursday, 23 April.
Source: Vatican News
Cover Photo: MHM members in Cameroon preparing for the Pope’s visit
