Pope Leo is currently on a 10-day tour of four African countries, recently addressing Cameroon’s government with a strong message against corruption and influence from powerful interests. The Pope urged officials to resist “the whims of the rich and powerful” during a speech delivered in the presence of President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982.
The pontiff has repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace and dialogue in recent days. These calls come amid ongoing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has launched multiple social media attacks against Pope Leo.
Visitors to the Vatican have also voiced criticism of President Trump’s harsh remarks regarding the Pope’s calls for peace and his disapproval of the U.S. approach to conflict, including a war with Iran. Pope Leo continues to advocate for peaceful resolutions despite the ongoing dispute.