Archbishop Nkea calls Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit a divine moment of grace, urging unity and peace for Cameroon’s Church and nation.
Newsroom (23/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) In what he described as an “unexpected moment of grace,” Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of Bamenda has welcomed the forthcoming Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, viewing it as a divine gift for the nation. Speaking at a press conference on March 20 in Bamenda, the Archbishop said the visit—scheduled for April 15–18—will be a pastoral milestone and a source of spiritual renewal for the entire Catholic community.
“I’m very happy that I have this chance to meet the press before the visit of the Holy Father,” Archbishop Nkea said, his voice carrying both joy and reverence. “It came to us as very good news that the Holy Father is going to come to Bamenda within the first year of his pontificate.”
The trip marks the first Papal journey to Cameroon since Pope Leo XIV began his pontificate in May 2025. The connection between Cameroon’s Church and the new Pope took root shortly after his installation, when a group of six Cameroonian bishops traveled to Rome to attend the ceremony.
“From that moment we have had a very cordial relationship with the new Holy Father,” the Archbishop explained. Initial speculation about a Papal trip soon followed, but confirmation only arrived when the Holy See formally announced the visit earlier this March.
Divine Providence and the Choice of Cameroon
Reflecting on why Cameroon was chosen, Archbishop Nkea said even Church leaders were taken by surprise. “Why the choice of Cameroon? I will say to you that it is God. Nobody understands why the Pope is coming to Cameroon,” he remarked, emphasizing that divine providence, not politics, shaped the Holy See’s decision.
He recalled that an invitation had been extended to Pope Leo XIV immediately after his election. “When I attended the installation of the new Pope, I carried two letters: one of congratulations and another inviting him to Cameroon,” he revealed. The Vatican later requested a corresponding invitation from the Cameroonian State, given the Pope’s dual role as leader of the Universal Church and head of the Vatican State.
“You saw some of us hanging around the Presidency,” Archbishop Nkea said with a hint of humor. “It was to negotiate for a better invitation… under pontifical secret.” That diplomatic effort has now borne fruit.
A Visit Built on Unity and Healing
The overarching theme chosen for the visit, “May They All Be One,” carries deep significance in light of Cameroon’s current challenges—political unrest, ethnic divisions, and social tensions. “This oneness has nothing to do with politics,” Archbishop Nkea explained. “It has to do with the human person, the Church of Christ, and the creatures of God learning to love one another.”
Each city on the Pope’s itinerary will convey a tailored message tuned to local realities. In Bamenda, the Pope’s theme, “My Peace I Leave You, My Peace I Give You,” speaks directly to a region long affected by conflict. In Douala, focus will turn to youth and unemployment under the theme “Give Them Yourselves Something to Eat.” For Yaoundé, the capital, the message will reflect harmony between faith and justice: “Love and truth have met, justice and peace have embraced.”
Expectations and Preparations in Bamenda
As president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), Archbishop Nkea said extensive preparations are underway to ensure the Holy Father receives a warm and fitting welcome in Bamenda, Douala, and Yaoundé.
During his stay in Bamenda, Pope Leo XIV will meet an inclusive assembly at St. Joseph Cathedral in Mankon—traditional rulers, civil society leaders, local elites, members of Protestant and Islamic communities, and internally displaced persons. “All these will form part of the group that the Pope will meet in the Cathedral,” the Archbishop noted. The visit will culminate in a public Mass at Bamenda airport, expected to draw thousands.
Addressing rumors that entry passes were being sold, Archbishop Nkea was clear: “The pass is free. There is no money transacted for passes.” He also drew attention to the visible improvements across Bamenda in anticipation of the event. “The airport has been renovated, streets are being carved and fixed up, and everywhere is being renewed,” he said.
Beyond the logistics, the Archbishop believes the Papal visit holds spiritual promise. “The Holy Father cannot go anywhere without impacting the community,” he affirmed, adding that the Pope’s message of peace could heal “some hearts that have been hardened for the past 10 years.”
A Call to Responsible Reporting
Archbishop Nkea concluded his briefing with an appeal to journalists for objective and balanced coverage. “We encourage you all to report this visit in the most objective way possible. The Church has no intention to politicize this visit. It is a pastoral visit. The Pope, as the Universal Pastor, is coming to visit his flock.”
As the countdown to April 15 continues, the faithful across Cameroon are preparing with prayer and anticipation, convinced that the coming of the Holy Father is nothing less than a sign of divine providence for their nation—a moment of grace meant to bring peace, unity, and renewed hope.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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