Skip to content

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV meets with students, visits hospital, holds stadium Mass in Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV holds a sculpture at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV holds a sculpture at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

The Holy Father continues his third day in Cameroon before traveling to Angola on April 18.

Pope Leo XIV continued his papal trip in Africa on April 17, holding Mass in Japoma Stadium in Cameroon, visiting a Catholic hospital, and meeting with students at the Catholic University of Central Africa.

The Holy Father arrived in Cameroon on April 15 and will depart for Angola on April 18, eventually finishing his first papal trip to the continent in Equatorial Guinea.

Here’s a look at some of the pope’s ongoing activities in Cameroon:

Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets clergy and thousands of faithful at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets clergy and thousands of faithful at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV presides at Mass in Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV presides at Mass in Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV incenses a statue of the Blessed Mother at Japoma Stadium during Mass on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV incenses a statue of the Blessed Mother at Japoma Stadium during Mass on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets religious sisters at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets religious sisters at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a mother and child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a mother and child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a mother and child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a mother and child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a newborn at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV blesses a newborn at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a newborn at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV offers a blessing to a patient at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV offers a blessing to a patient at St. Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets crowds at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Upon his arrival to the University, Pope Leo couldn’t resist this photo-op with St. Augustine.

Pope Leo XIV greets a student at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a student at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks to students and dignitaries at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Follow the Live Updates of Pope Leo’s Trip in Africa available at EWTN News.

This article was originally published on EWTN News in English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

EWTN News Staff

The EWTN News Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. You can contact us at contactnews@ewtn.com with questions.

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis Calls for Courage to Negotiate Peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis's call for Ukraine to negotiate peace with Russia, symbolized by a "white flag," has drawn global reactions.

Vatican News: New Vatican Document On AI

Vatican news: New document on AI stresses human dignity. Pope marks 80 years since Auschwitz liberation. Survey shows Pope Francis is Italy’s most trusted figure. Delegation sent to Syria.

Pope Francis: “Cardinal Pell, faithful servant to the Lord even in the hour of trial”

I remember with a grateful heart his consistent and committed witness, his dedication to the Gospel and the

Pope Leo XIV Live with Catholic Youth: NCYC 2025

Join Pope Leo XIV live from the Vatican as he participates in a first-ever digital visit to the

LIVE | ’24 Hours for the Lord’: Celebration of Reconciliation with Pope Francis

LIVE | Join us for the ‘24 Hours for the Lord’, the Celebration of Reconciliation presided over by

5 ways to solemnly celebrate Good Friday

As the Church mourns, Catholics are also called to solemnly observe this holy day. Good Friday is considered

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com