“Wherever there is misery, suffering, or injustice, God is present,” the pope said in a meeting with orphaned or abandoned children in Cameroon.
YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the happy chatter of children on Wednesday at the Ngul Zamba Orphanage in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he shared a message of Godʼs presence.
“Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials. Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation, and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds. You are bearers of a promise,” the pope said April 15.
Run for 40 years by the religious congregation the Daughters of Mary, the Ngul Zamba Orphanage — whose name means “Strength of God” — provides food, lodging, and education to poor or abandoned children.
During the visit, the pope listened with delight to the various songs of welcome. He applauded with satisfaction, smiling in return at the many smiles of the children. He was also moved by the recitation of a verse from Psalm 27: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even should mothers forget, I will never forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before my eyes.”
Leo also listened to two testimonies from staff members, one of whom is a former student, who expressed his gratitude for all that the Daughters of Mary of Yaoundé did for him and concluded by reaffirming his commitment to promoting an “education for all,” without exclusion.
Pope Leo then addressed the children and staff: “I am very happy to visit this orphanage, which has become your home. Here, above all, it is our heavenly Father who welcomes you with love as his children. He wants to show you his tenderness and to draw you close to his heart. In his name, I too wish to do the same. Indeed, you form a true family here, with brothers and sisters who all share a similar history marked by suffering. In this family, your eldest brother is Jesus! It is living as brothers and sisters gathered around him that makes you strong, helps you to carry life’s burdens together, and allows you to experience true joy.”
“In a world often marked by indifference and selfishness, this home reminds us that we are the ones who need to look after our brothers and sisters, and that, in God’s great family, no one is ever a stranger or forgotten, no matter how small he or she may be.”
Turning directly to the children, the Holy Father acknowledged the weight of their experiences:
“Dear children, I know that many of you have endured difficult trials. Some of you have known the pain of loss through the death of parents or loved ones. Others have experienced fear, rejection, abandonment, deprivation, and uncertainty. Yet, you are called to a future that is greater than your wounds. You are bearers of a promise. For wherever there is misery, suffering, or injustice, God is present; and he knows each of your faces and is very close to you. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus cares especially for children like you, and he would often place them at the center of a gathering. Know that he looks upon each one of you today with that same affection.”
Finally, the pope addressed all those who care daily for the children of the orphanage:
“I would also like to greet with gratitude all those who take care of these children: the directors, educators, staff, volunteers, and, of course, the sisters. Your faithful dedication is a beautiful testimony of love. By caring for these children, you are getting a foretaste of the joy that the Lord has promised to those who serve the little ones. Your patience reflects the face of divine mercy. Through your patience and dedication, you offer much more than mere material support: You offer these children a presence, a listening ear, a family, and a future. Through you, God’s tenderness is made manifest — a faithful tenderness that does not falter in times of trial and never disappoints. I thank you for all that you do, and I encourage you to persevere courageously in this beautiful work that you have undertaken.”
He concluded by entrusting everyone to Mary’s care: “As I impart my heartfelt blessing, I entrust each of you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother. May she always watch over you, console you in moments of sadness, and help you to grow as true friends of her son, Jesus.”
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This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
