Overview
- The pope traveled under heavy security to Bamenda on Thursday and led an interfaith peace meeting before celebrating Mass.
- In speeches in Yaoundé and Bamenda, he called for an end to violence, told authorities that security must respect human rights, and urged leaders to break the chains of corruption.
- English‑speaking separatists announced a three‑day pause in fighting to enable safe travel for the visit, as authorities tightened security and reopened Bamenda’s airport for the trip.
- His meeting with 93‑year‑old President Paul Biya drew concern from clergy who fear it could boost the long‑time leader’s image after a disputed re‑election and a harsh crackdown.
- The tour moves to a large Mass in Douala on Friday before stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea, against a backdrop of more than 6,000 dead and over 600,000 displaced in the Anglophone conflict.