Pope Leo has issued a stern rebuke to global leaders who allocate billions to warfare, stating that the world is currently being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.
These forceful comments were made during the pontiff’s high-profile visit to Cameroon on Thursday.
The Pope specifically targeted those he accused of manipulating the name of God for personal or political gain.
His remarks come at a time when he is touring regions significantly impacted by long-standing insurgencies and humanitarian crises.
The visit takes place against the backdrop of a public disagreement with US President Donald Trump.
The US leader recently posted a lengthy critique of the Pope, who has been a consistent opponent of the ongoing US-Israeli military operations in Iran.
Criticism of military expenditure
During his address in Cameroon, the Pope questioned the priorities of global powers.
He noted that while billions of dollars are readily available for killing and devastation, resources for healing, education, and restoration remain scarce.
He told reporters at the start of his tour that he did not wish to engage in a personal debate with the US president but felt compelled to promote peace.
The Pope expressed deep concern over threats suggesting that entire civilisations could perish if specific geopolitical demands were not met.
The masters of war, according to the Pope, often ignore the reality that while destruction takes only a moment, rebuilding can take more than a lifetime.
He urged leaders to stop turning a blind eye to the human cost of these financial decisions.
Focus on Cameroon’s internal conflict
The Pope also addressed the internal strife within Cameroon, particularly in the north-western city of Bamenda.
The region has been bloodstained by a decade-long insurgency between separatist groups and the government, resulting in at least 6,000 deaths and mass displacement.
He condemned the cycle of destabilisation where land is stripped of its resources to fund the purchase of weapons.
He reminded the gathered crowd that peace is not an invention but something that must be embraced by treating neighbours as brothers and sisters.
Following the address, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally expressed her support for the Pope’s stance. She described his message as a courageous call for a kingdom of peace during a time of global uncertainty.
Tensions with the Trump administration
The conflict in Iran has increasingly strained relations between the Vatican and the White House.
While US officials have used religious rhetoric to justify military actions, the Pope countered during a recent Palm Sunday Mass that Jesus cannot be used to justify war.
The pontiff has maintained that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, quoting biblical passages to emphasise that those with blood on their hands cannot find divine favour through prayer alone.
In response, Donald Trump described the leader of the Catholic Church as weak on crime and foreign policy.
Despite the social media attacks, the Pope stated in Algiers that he has no fear of the administration and will continue to speak out against violence.
The Catholic leader’s tour will cover 11 cities across four countries, highlighting the growing influence of the church in Africa.
Current data shows that more than 288 million Catholics, representing over a fifth of the global total, now reside on the continent.
