Pope Criticizes War on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV sharply scolded world leaders. From Bamenda, Cameroon, he set off on a 11-day journey across Africa and launched the attack. The pope, in his latest comments, slammed leaders who pour billions into wars, saying the world is being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants.” He spoke right after President Donald Trump attacked him again on social media.
A Message of War and Waste
In Bamenda, the largest city in Cameroon’s anglophone region, Pope Leo XIV spoke with rare strength, as a conflict simmering for almost ten years has already killed thousands. The Pope picked this city to spread his message of peace.
He spoke without holding back. The Pope criticized world leaders who pour billions into war and then use religious words to defend the fighting. He pushed them to make a firm change in direction, and he also condemned leaders who use religious talk to justify wars. He warned, “Shame on those who twist religion, and God’s name, for war, money, and power, turning what is sacred into darkness and filth.”
The Pope added that war leaders claim they don’t realize how fast destruction happens, but they seem to forget that rebuilding can take a whole lifetime. They ignore the fact that billions are spent on killing and destruction, but the money for healing, education, and rebuilding never seems to show up.
Trump Escalates the War of Words
This week, the strain between the pope and the US. president kept getting more intense. On Sunday, April 12, Trump kicked off his attacks on Leo by posting on Truth Social that the Pope was “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.”On Wednesday, April 15, Trump shared a picture showing Jesus holding him, after he had posted an earlier image that made him look Jesus-like, sparking heavy backlash.
Still, Leo told Reuters on April 13 that he wouldn’t stop speaking out about the war in Iran. Since then, he has avoided giving Trump a direct answer.
Earlier this month, the Pope said the war with Iran is driven by “the delusion of omnipotence” that makes people feel in control, but is growing more unpredictable and more hostile. Trump fired back, calling him “weak” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy.
Religion Must Not Fuel War
Outside politics, Leo offered a serious spiritual warning. Last month, he said God won’t hear prayers from leaders whose “hands are full of blood,” a comment many people thought was aimed at US. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has used Christian language to defend the war against Iran.
In Bamenda, Leo led a peace gathering with a Mankon chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam, and a Catholic nun. He showed by what he did what he said, people can be united across different faiths.
Cameroon’s Forgotten Crisis Gets a Spotlight
Just as crucially, the Pope used his visit to draw attention to Cameroon’s conflict, long ignored. Cheering Cameroonians filled the roads, honking and dancing as they welcomed him. They were thrilled that the pope traveled so far just to see them and shine a worldwide spotlight on the violence that has shaken the region for almost ten years.
Still, not everyone felt hopeful. Morine Ngum, a mother of three whose husband passed away in 2022, doubted the visit would help and said, “Nothing will change.”The fighting took my children and left me a widow.
At the same time, English-speaking separatists in Cameroon called for a three-day ceasefire so the Pope could travel safely and bring his message of peace.
Calling for Conscience Over Power
At last, Pope Leo urged people to look inward and act boldly: now is the time to check your conscience and move ahead. To have peace and justice, we have to snap the chains of corruption that stain those in charge and rob them of trust.
In short, Pope Leo XIV didn’t treat his visit to Africa like just another church stop. He used it as a worldwide spotlight, urging the world’s leaders to pick peace over profit and conscience over fighting.
“Sources: Reuters, CNN, Al Jazeera, Associated Press (via Washington Times), Newsweek, Rappler”
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