Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong appeal for global peace, condemning what he described as “a handful of tyrants” he accused of fuelling conflicts and instability across the world.
The pontiff made the remarks on Thursday during a peace gathering at St Joseph Cathedral in Cameroon, as part of his ongoing four-nation tour of Africa.
His visit focused on promoting reconciliation in conflict-affected regions, particularly Cameroon’s English-speaking areas.
Addressing religious and traditional leaders at the event including a Mankon chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam, and a Catholic nun, the Pope praised ongoing interfaith efforts aimed at resolving the long-running Anglophone crisis.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, “but woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain.”
He warned that the exploitation of religion to justify violence was worsening global instability, calling for a “decisive change of course” away from conflict, oppression, and resource exploitation.
According to him, the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.
His comments come amid rising global tensions, including disputes involving Iran, where religious narratives have increasingly been tied to political messaging.
Reacting to the Pope’s remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump said he respected the pontiff’s right to speak but disagreed with his position on global security issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump insisted the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
During the Cameroon visit, Pope Leo also drew attention to the ongoing separatist conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions, which has persisted since 2017.
The crisis, rooted in colonial-era divisions between French- and English-speaking territories, has reportedly killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000 others, according to the International Crisis Group.
He criticised the exploitation of natural resources, saying profits from such activities are often redirected into arms procurement, which fuels further violence.
“It is a world turned upside down,” he said, adding that such exploitation of God’s creation must be rejected.
Cameroon, which is rich in oil, gas, and mineral resources, continues to attract interest from foreign companies operating in its extractive sector.
Ahead of the Pope’s arrival, separatist groups announced a temporary ceasefire to allow safe passage, a rare gesture in a conflict that has seen multiple failed peace attempts.
Despite a recent decline in violence, the crisis remains unresolved, with stalled negotiations and mistrust between the government and separatist groups continuing to hinder a lasting settlement.
