Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yaoundé (Fides News Agency) – Politics must be at the service of the common good, avoiding corruption that “disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility.” The words of Pope Leo XIV, spoken yesterday, April 15, at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé during a meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, constitute a clear appeal to the authorities of Cameroon, a country ranked 142nd out of 182 in the Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
The country obtained a score of 26 out of 100 (where 0 indicates a very high level of corruption and 100 a very low level of corruption). This figure has remained virtually unchanged for years, showing no significant improvement and placing Cameroon well below the global average (42) and the average for sub-Saharan Africa (32).
In his first address during his visit to the country, the Holy Father spoke to the Cameroonian people, especially young people and women, encouraging them not to lose hope, but to “keep moving forward with enthusiasm and perseverance, in building the common good.”
Recalling the teachings of Saint Augustine, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “serving one’s country means dedicating oneself, with a clear mind and an upright conscience, to the common good of all people in the nation. This includes dedication to both the majority of the population and the minorities, as well as their mutual harmony.”
This is a call to responsibility from both the ruling class and the population to work for peace, reconciliation, and unity in a country marked by “the tensions and violence that have afflicted certain regions of the Northwest, Southwest and Far North.”
The Pope also called for spaces to be opened up for young people, women, and various civil organizations, emphasizing that “civil society must be recognized as a vital force for national cohesion.” “Cameroon is ready for this transition! Associations, women’s and youth organizations, trade unions, humanitarian NGOs as well as traditional and religious leaders all play an irreplaceable role in weaving the fabric of social peace,” the Holy Father stated.
The Pope also added the need to respond to the demands of “transparency in the management of public resources and respect for the rule of law,” conditions he defined as “essential to restoring trust.” Cameroon boasts the longest-serving Head of State on the international scene (92 years, in power since 1982) and, at the same time, one of the youngest populations, with an average age of 18-19 and around 41% of the population under 15. The Holy Father dedicated significant words to them: “Young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church. Their energy and creativity are priceless treasures. Of course, when unemployment and social exclusion persist, frustration can lead to violence. Investing in the education, training and entrepreneurship of young people is, therefore, a strategic choice for peace.” “Thankfully, young people in Cameroon possess a deep spirituality that still resists the homogenizing influence of the market. It is a source of energy that gives value to their dreams, which are rooted in the prophecies that nourish their prayers and their hearts,” added Pope Leo XIV, concluding by reaffirming the Church’s commitment in Cameroon to “work in good faith with civil authorities and all those involved in efforts to promote human dignity and reconciliation.” (L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 16/4/2026)
