Mass Attendance and Arrival in Douala
More than 120,000 people gathered to attend an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon, marking the largest crowd during his 11-day Africa tour.
The Pope arrived in Douala, the economic city, on Friday, reiterating his message of peace following his visit the previous day to the Anglophone region affected by a decade-long rebellion.
Upon arrival at Japoma Stadium, jubilant crowds welcomed the pontiff. Standing in his vehicle, known as the Popemobile, the Pope waved to the large assembly of people awaiting his entrance.
Some worshippers had camped outside the stadium since Thursday night to secure prime spots for the Pope's address, with some present for more than 24 hours.
By Friday, tens of thousands of people of all ages, including several priests, braved the heat to participate in the event.
Messages Delivered During the Mass
The Pope's message focused on spiritual matters and encouraged young people to diversify their talents and support their communities.
"Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive,"
"Do not let yourselves be corrupted by temptations that waste your energies and do not serve the progress of society."
Some attendees expressed to the BBC their happiness at seeing and listening to the Pope, reflecting a growing desire for peace to return to the conflict-affected nation.
As they raised their hands in prayer, some held umbrellas and books over their heads to shield themselves from the sun, while others wiped sweat from their faces.
Worship took various forms among the crowd; some clasped their hands together while others prostrated themselves.
Additional Visits and Warnings
On the fifth day of his Africa tour and third day in Cameroon, the Pope also visited St Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala.
In the capital city, Yaounde, he delivered a speech at the Catholic University of Central Africa, addressing the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society and its role in transforming human relationships with truth.
"We come to live in bubbles, impermeable to one another,"
"Feeling threatened by anyone who is different, we grow unaccustomed to encounters and dialogue. In this way polarisation, conflict, fear and violence spread."
The Pope warned of the dangers of AI, stating it contributes to the spread of "polarisation, conflict, fear and violence."
He also condemned the relentless extraction of raw materials and rare earth metals, such as cobalt, which are heavily mined in Africa and essential for electronics and the AI industry.
His 11-day trip began on Monday with a visit to Algeria, marking the first papal visit to the Muslim-majority country.
On Saturday, the Pope is scheduled to travel to Angola and will conclude his tour in Equatorial Guinea.
For more news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com.
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