Day Three in Africa: From Algeria to Cameroon

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• apostolic journey
• Cameroon
• Algeria

Day Three in Africa: From Algeria to Cameroon Pope Leo XIV concludes the first leg of his Apostolic Journey, travelling south from Algeria to Cameroon, where he addresses the country’s authorities, members of civil society and the diplomatic corps, and visits an orphanage.

By Claudia Torres – Yaoundé, Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV concluded the first leg of his four-country Apostolic Journey with a farewell ceremony at the airport in Algiers, on Wednesday morning, 15 April. Aboard the papal plane on the way to Cameroon, he described his stay in Saint Augustine’s homeland as a “special blessing”, and he expressed gratitude for the “wonderful opportunity to continue to build bridges and promote dialogue”.

A warm welcome

About five hours later, the Holy Father arrived in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, where the central African nation’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity was on full display. Large crowds of people waited for him at the airport, waving Vatican and Cameroonian flags and shouting words of welcome in English and French – and even the occasional ‘Buonasera’ in Italian could be heard. People gathered along most of the road taking the Holy Father from the airport to the presidential palace, their colourful clothing standing out against the green backdrop of the lush city. They cheered, sang, and danced to the rhythmic sounds of percussion and brass instruments, exuding a contagious joy capable of melting away the fatigue of such an intense trip.

Meeting with authorities

The energy was just as palpable at the Presidential Palace, where the Holy Father met privately with the country’s President, Paul Biya, before addressing the country’s authorities, members of civil society, and the diplomatic corps. The Pope prompted several rounds of applause during his speech, in which he advocated for women’s rights and called for an “unarmed” peace that is “not based on fear, threats or weapons”.

Visit to the Ngal Zamba Orphanage

After his meeting with the authorities, the Holy Father visited the Ngal Zamba Orphanage, run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary. The children and religious sisters were overjoyed to have the Pope with them, and he, too, smiled happily. They welcomed him with songs and cheers, the children dressed in blue outfits with the logo for the papal visit to Cameroon. When it was time for the Pope to leave the small room, the sisters and children crowded around him and paraded him out with nonstop singing and clapping.

Private meeting with Bishops

At the end of the joyful encounter, the Pope travelled to the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference for a private meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon, concluding his third day in Africa.

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• Pope Leo XIV
• apostolic journey
• Cameroon
• Algeria

15 April 2026, 22:30

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