Pope Leo XIV's apostolic visit to Cameroon, scheduled from April 15 to 18, 2026, is generating mixed reactions, particularly from figures committed against the Yaoundé regime. The announcement of this visit, which will take the head of the Catholic Church to Yaoundé, Douala, and Bamenda, was made by the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic on February 25, 2026.
Father Ludovic Lado, a Cameroonian Jesuit priest based at Harvard University in the United States, known for his political involvement, expresses skepticism about the "apostolic" nature of this visit. He recalls that the Pope had refused to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump because of his policies, and questions the advisability of accepting the invitation from President Biya, whom he accuses of clinging to power by force. Lado fears that this visit will only serve to legitimize President Biya's re-election, which took place in a context of post-election crisis. He had also sent a letter to the Vatican to express his concerns about the socio-political situation in Cameroon, marked by tensions and crises.
Writer Calixthe Beyala, also an opponent of the regime, shares this view. She denounces a possible indifference from the Pope to the situation of Cameroonians, citing post-election violence and detentions. Beyala also criticizes the historical role of the Catholic Church in Africa, particularly during the periods of slavery and colonization.
In response to these criticisms, Archbishop Andrew Nkéa of Bamenda, president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, calls for the papal visit to be seen as a message of peace and reconciliation. In an interview with Vatican News, he emphasizes that the Pope comes to bring a message of hope in the face of the challenges facing the country, including the exactions of Boko Haram in the north, the Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest, and the presence of refugees in the East. Archbishop Nkéa insists that the Pope's visit is a work of God that will bring positive change, despite the criticisms of some politicians.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Africa, which also includes stops in Algeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, is of particular importance to the continent, where the number of Catholics is growing. It comes after the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee and marks a desire to strengthen ties with African Catholic communities.
