Pope Leo urges Cameroon government to root out corruption

Pope Leo called on Cameroon’s government to tackle corruption and urged an end to the country’s long-running Anglophone conflict during a speech attended by President Paul Biya. The remarks came amid heightened political tensions and ongoing scrutiny of governance and human rights issues in the country.

Catherine Schenck/Reuters

April 16, 2026

Pope Leo urges Cameroon government to root out corruption

Pope Leo XIV delivers a speech directed at Cameroonian President Paul Biya and other national leaders, urging governments to root out corruption and resist "the whims of the rich and powerful", at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, during his apostolic journey to Cameroon, April 15, 2026.

Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Pope Leo on Wednesday (April 15) urged Cameroon's government to root out corruption in a forceful speech given in the presence of 93 year-old President Paul Biya, who has led the country since 1982.

Biya listened to the pope's speech without visible reaction. His government denies accusations of corruption and human rights abuses and says the stability he brings allows Cameroon to avoid the kind of conflict seen elsewhere in the region, including in war-hit Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.

Leo, who will mark one year as pope in May, kept a relatively low profile for a pope in his first 10 months but in recent weeks has become outspoken on a range of issues, notably the Iran war.

The Pope was attacked overnight by U.S. President Donald Trump for a second time during his 10-day tour of four African countries, also called for an end to Cameroon's simmering Anglophone conflict, which has killed thousands.

-Catherine Schenck/Reuters