Pope Leo XIV tells African youth in Douala to reject violence and corruption, urging faith, solidarity, and hope for a just future.
Newsroom (17/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Speaking before a crowd of approximately 600,000 faithful at Japoma Stadium, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful appeal to African youth to reject violence, corruption, and despair, urging instead a life rooted in faith, solidarity, and moral responsibility.
The Mass, held during the Pope’s third day in Cameroon, centered on the Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, a passage he described as a timeless response to human hunger—both physical and spiritual.
Reflecting on the biblical scene, the Pope posed a question that he said still confronts humanity today: “Where is God in the face of people’s hunger?” His answer drew directly from the actions of Christ, who fed the multitude not through abundance, but through sharing.
“A serious problem was solved by blessing the little food that was present and sharing it with all who were hungry,” Pope Leo said. “The multiplication of the loaves and the fish happened while sharing: that is the miracle.”
He emphasized that scarcity is often not the result of lack, but of injustice—when resources are hoarded, stolen, or wasted. “There is bread for everyone if it is given to everyone,” he said, warning against systems and behaviors that deprive others of dignity and sustenance.
Yet the Pope made clear that material provision alone is insufficient. Humanity, he said, also hungers for peace, freedom, and justice—needs that require spiritual nourishment.
“The food that sustains the body must be accompanied, with equal charity, by nourishment for the soul,” he said, describing the Eucharist as the source of strength that sustains believers through fear and suffering.
Throughout his homily, Pope Leo returned repeatedly to the theme of shared responsibility. The question posed by Christ—“What will you do?”—he said, is addressed to all: leaders and citizens, rich and poor, young and old alike.
He directed particular attention to young people across Africa, calling them “beloved children of the continent” and urging them to take an active role in shaping the future.
“Multiply your talents through faith, perseverance, and friendship,” he said. “Be the first faces and hands that bring the bread of life to your neighbors.”
The Pope acknowledged the stark contrast in Cameroon between abundant natural resources and widespread poverty. In that context, he warned against the lure of corruption and violence, which he described as false promises that ultimately erode human dignity.
“Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive,” he said. “Do not give in to distrust and discouragement.”
Instead, he urged young people to recognize the deeper wealth of their societies. “Your treasure lies in your values: faith, family, hospitality, and work,” he said, encouraging them to become “protagonists of the future” by following their vocation and resisting destructive temptations.
The Pope also called on Christians to actively proclaim the message of the Gospel, not only in words but through concrete actions that promote justice and peace.
“Proclaiming the Risen Jesus means leaving signs of justice in a suffering and oppressed land, signs of peace amid rivalry and corruption,” he said. “Signs of faith that free us from superstition and indifference.”
Drawing inspiration from the early Christians, who persevered despite persecution, Pope Leo encouraged the faithful in Cameroon to remain steadfast in their witness.
The Eucharistic celebration itself, he said, stands as a sign of hope—an invitation to share what one has so that it may be multiplied for the good of all.
As the Mass concluded, the Pope called on the faithful to carry forward the message of solidarity and renewal, asking God to “multiply his gift among us for the good of all.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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