Algiers, Algeria — Algiers, Algeria (AP) – Pope Leo XIV heading to the central african nation cameroon With a message of peace for his separatist region and for talks with President Paul Biya, the 93-year-old leader whose grip on power was extended to an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year.
The Vatican says fighting corruption in the mineral-rich country and emphasizing the correct use of political authority is expected to be the theme of Leo’s visit, which will begin with his arrival in the capital Yaoundé on Wednesday. Leo was traveling from Algeria to Cameroon, his first stop Four country tour of Africa.
The Vatican has made clear that Catholic social teaching rejects the kind of authoritarian leaders Leo is facing on his visit, which is the first visit to the continent by the first American Pope in history.
sister in law He is the world’s oldest leader and has led the Central African nation since 1982.
Leo will meet Biya upon arrival at the Presidential Palace in the capital Yaoundé. He will then address Cameroon government officials, civil service representatives and diplomats before visiting an orphanage run by Catholic religious nuns.
Cameroon’s opposition has objected to the results of the October 12 election, which ensured Biya’s victory. His election opponent, Issa Tachiroma BakeryClaimed victory and called on Cameroonians to reject the official result.
The same week, Leo issued an unrelated message on the true role of political leaders and the need for “authentic democracy” to legitimize their authority and act as a “guardrail against abuse of power.”
In a message to the Vatican Academy for Social Sciences, Leo wrote that democracy remains healthy only when it operates from a vision of morality and humanity that respects the dignity of all.
“In the absence of this foundation, it risks becoming either a mask of majoritarian tyranny or the dominance of an economic and technological elite,” he warned in a message that was not directed at any particular nation or leader and was written on April 1.
LEO has two major programs in Cameroon, the main ones being “Peace Meeting” on Thursday in Bamenda, the northwestern city of Cameroon, which has been stricken Separatist violence.
English-speaking separatists began a rebellion in 2017 with the stated goal of seceding from Cameroon’s French-speaking majority and establishing an independent English-speaking state. conflict has killed More than 6,000 people died and more than 600,000 others were displaced, according to the International Crisis Group, a think tank.
On the eve of Leo’s arrival, English-speaking separatists declared three day break In the fight to allow “safe travel” for Leo’s visit.
The Unity Alliance, which includes several separatist groups, said in a statement late on Monday that the halt reflected the “deep spiritual significance” of the pilgrimage and was aimed at allowing citizens, pilgrims and dignitaries to travel safely.
Leo’s other big event in Cameroon, where about 29% of the population is Catholic, is a mass on Friday in the city of Douala, where about 600,000 people are expected.
On Saturday, Leo will leave for Angola for the third leg of his journey, which will end in Equatorial Guinea next week.
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