Skip to content

PHOTOS: Highlights from Pope Leo XIV’s first full day in Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV departs Bamenda, Cameroon, after celebrating Mass at the regional airport on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV departs Bamenda, Cameroon, after celebrating Mass at the regional airport on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

The Holy Father will ultimately spend several days in Cameroon before heading on to Angola and then Equatorial Guinea during his first apostolic journey to Africa.

Pope Leo XIV spent his first full day in Cameroon on April 16 meeting with local Catholics and other officials, hosting a meeting for peace and saying Mass in the central African country.

The Holy Father will ultimately spend several days in Cameroon before heading on to Angola and then Equatorial Guinea during his first apostolic journey to Africa. The trip is scheduled to last through April 23.

Here is a look at the popeʼs activities in Cameroon:

Crowds greet Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds greet Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport in Cameroon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds greet Pope Leo XIV as he rides through Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds greet Pope Leo XIV as he rides through Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves outside of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves outside of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, during a peace meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, during a peace meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV leads a meeting for peace and reconciliation at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV leads a meeting for peace and reconciliation at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV prays in adoration before the Eucharist in the Holy Sacrament Chapel of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV prays in adoration before the Eucharist in the Holy Sacrament Chapel of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV leads a peace meeting at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV leads a peace meeting at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV releases a dove outside of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV releases a dove outside of St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV processes during Mass at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV processes during Mass at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Hundreds of Catholics pray at the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Hundreds of Catholics pray at the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV elevates the Eucharist during the papal Mass at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV elevates the Eucharist during the papal Mass at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets Catholics at Bamenda Airport in Cameroon on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

After the Mass, this little girl broke through the security barriers to run to hug the Pope, who knelt down to embrace her and say “God bless you!”

Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds while departing Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds while departing Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday, April 16, 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

Vatican secretary of state brings Pope Francis’ message of closeness to Ukraine

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is in Ukraine this week for what is the diplomat’s first visit to the country since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.

Pope Francis Calls On Vatican Christmas Concert Artists To Promote Peace, Reconciliation

Pope Francis called on musicians and artists to serve as “angels of peace” during his address to participants of the 2024 Vatican Christmas Concert on Saturday.

Pope Francis meets with young cancer patients: ‘Jesus is always close to you’

Pope Francis meets with young cancer patients from Poland at the Vatican on May 29, 2023.

(RE)VERSVS: A Contemporary Art Exhibition Promoting a Culture of Harmony at the Vatican

The Vatican Apostolic Library is proud to present (RE)VERSVS, a contemporary art exhibition featuring the works of Brazilian

St. Paul VI: A Special Exhibition for the 60th Anniversary of His Election

On June 21st, 1963, the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel announced the election of the Petrine successor

Cardinal Arinze: ‘We want a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ’

Cardinal Francis Arinze has said that the Church needs “a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ.”

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com