More than a half-million people expected at Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV, on his four-nation tour of Africa, focused on inspiring Cameroon’s youth during his visit. He celebrated a large Mass in Douala, drawing an estimated 600,000 attendees, and later engaged with students and faculty at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé. Addressing the challenges faced by young people in Cameroon, Leo emphasized the need to combat corruption and invest in education and entrepreneurship to prevent brain drain and foster peace. Despite Cameroon’s economic growth, many young people remain in informal employment, and the country experiences significant emigration of skilled professionals. The Pope’s visit highlights the tension between the youthful population and the long-standing leadership of President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. QUESTION: How might investing in education and entrepreneurship for young people change the future of countries like Cameroon?