Historic African tour and remarks clarification overshadow Pope Leo XIV’s messages on peace, corruption and global tensions during visit to Cameroon and Angola..reports Asian Lite News
Pope Leo XIV sought to play down reports of a rift with Donald Trump as he continued a high-profile tour of Africa, insisting that recent comments attributed to him had been misinterpreted.
Speaking to journalists aboard his flight from Yaoundé to Luanda, the pontiff said media coverage of his remarks had “not been accurate in all its aspects”. He clarified that his earlier warning about the world being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” was not directed at Trump, adding that the speech had been prepared well before any remarks were made by the US leader.
The comments came as Leo concluded a three-day visit to Cameroon, where he drew vast crowds and delivered pointed messages on governance, peace and social justice. An open-air mass at Yaoundé airport attracted around 200,000 worshippers, with celebratory scenes of singing and dancing marking the occasion.
Delivering his homily in French, the pope urged Cameroonians to show “the courage to change habits and structures”, in what was widely interpreted as a call for reform in a country led by Paul Biya since 1982.
Leo then travelled onward to Angola, the third leg of his multi-nation African tour. He is expected to meet President João Lourenço and address large gatherings of the faithful in the predominantly Catholic nation, where about 44 percent of the population identifies with the Church.
Elected in May 2025, Leo has until recently maintained a relatively low-key public profile compared with his predecessor, Pope Francis. However, his Africa tour has signalled a more assertive tone, with repeated warnings about corruption, exploitation of natural resources and the ethical risks posed by artificial intelligence.
His remarks have gained additional attention following comments from US Vice President JD Vance, who suggested the Vatican should focus on moral issues. Leo responded by criticising those who use religion to justify conflict, reinforcing his broader message of peace.
In Angola, those themes are expected to resonate strongly. The country emerged from a 27-year civil war in 2002 and continues to grapple with poverty and inequality despite vast oil wealth. Around a third of the population lives below the poverty line, and corruption remains a persistent concern.
During his visit, Leo is scheduled to celebrate a major open-air mass in Kilamba, on the outskirts of Luanda, and travel to the historic pilgrimage site of Muxima. The village, home to a 16th-century church overlooking the Kwanza River, has long held religious significance and is now the focus of efforts to develop it into a major tourism destination.
The pope’s tour will conclude with a visit to Equatorial Guinea, marking the final stop of an extensive 18,000-kilometre journey across the continent.
