Archbishop Kleda calls Pope Leo XIV’s visit a chance for peace, justice, and release of detainees held without trial in Cameroon.
Newsroom (14/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) As Cameroon prepares for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, the nation’s leading Catholic prelate, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala, has voiced a powerful appeal for peace, justice, and national renewal. Speaking at a press conference on April 9, Archbishop Kleda expressed hope that the papal visit would usher in a moment of reconciliation and transformation for a country shaken by political turmoil, economic hardship, and conflict.
“The Pope is coming to proclaim the Good News to us,” declared Archbishop Kleda, adding reflectively, “What is the Good News for us in Cameroon? It is peace.” His words carried a deep resonance in a nation still grappling with multiple crises — not least the ongoing conflict in the English-speaking regions of the country. He emphasized that the pontiff’s presence should inspire Cameroonians to embrace their role as peacemakers: “With his visit, the Pope is inviting us all to be peacemakers.”
The Archbishop pointed to the suffering caused by years of strife and uncertainty. Cameroon, he noted, remains mired in an economic slump that has left countless citizens jobless and disillusioned. “Too many people are suffering, too many people are unemployed,” Kleda lamented. “After the Pope’s visit, we have the opportunity to show that we are capable of transforming our country.”
His remarks extended beyond economic and social distress to the nation’s fraught political climate. Following October’s presidential election, which saw 92-year-old Paul Biya re-elected for an unprecedented eighth term amid reports of irregularities, the country witnessed waves of protest, especially in Douala. “There was a crisis after the elections, resulting in the arrest of many people,” said Kleda. “Some of them have been released, but many are still in prison. Those imprisoned also include people who have never been brought to trial.” He appealed to authorities to use the Pope’s visit as “an opportunity to work to change this situation and do everything we can to secure the release of our brothers.”
This forthcoming papal visit marks the fourth time a Supreme Pontiff has set foot in Cameroon—a milestone that Archbishop Kleda described as “a special blessing.” Reflecting on the nation’s moral challenges, he noted, “We are not saints, and we have not succeeded in putting the Gospel into practice. The Pope’s current visit is a new opportunity for renewal and for ensuring that our society can live in peace.”
Beyond political reform, Kleda urged a reawakening of conscience. He called for better management of national resources, evoking the spirit of communal sharing described in the Acts of the Apostles: “The common good, that is, the country’s resources, must be shared with everyone, according to the needs of each individual.” Yet, he warned, achieving this vision requires tackling what he termed “a huge problem” — corruption. “It destroys everything and prevents the country’s development,” the Archbishop said soberly.
As Cameroon awaits Pope Leo XIV’s message of hope, Archbishop Kleda’s appeal stands as both a challenge and an invitation. “May each of us be ready for conversion and to stand up for justice,” he concluded, calling on citizens and leaders alike to embrace this moment as a turning point for lasting peace.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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