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

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates a Mass for peace in Ukraine on Nov. 17, 2022, in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN

Cardinal, Vatican journalists condemn threat to free press after assaults on journalists

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and an organization of Vatican-accredited journalists have spoken out in support

Rome Transforms for Upcoming Jubilee 2025

The Eternal City Launches Ambitious Renovations Ahead of the Upcoming Jubilee Year of 2025

Inside the Conclave: Which Cardinals Lead the Ceremonies

When a pope dies, the governance of the Catholic Church temporarily passes to the College of Cardinals — currently made up of 250 men, aged 45 to 99. Who leads the Conclave?

Interview with Archbishop Boris Gutsiak: Pope Francis and President Zelinski Meeting Significance

In this exclusive interview, Archbishop Boris Gutsiak from the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia discusses the significance of

Who are the Augustinians? A look at Pope Leo XIV’s religious order

Pope Leo XIV, elected on Thursday, is the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), also known as the Augustinians, an ancient religious order with thousands of members worldwide.

Three Pontifical Universities Collaborate to Reassess the ‘Inter Mirifica’ on Media

Three esteemed pontifical universities, renowned for their teaching and research in the field of communication, are joining forces.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com