At Visit To Bamenda, Pope Leo XIV Urges Shift From Weapons To Education
L-R: Muslim Leader, Pope Leo XIV By Anne-Vallien Berinyuy Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the huge sums of money spent on weapons that destroy lives, calling instead for greater investment in education and community development as the true path to lasting peace. Speaking at St Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Big Mankon on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in the presence of Catholics and non-Catholics and government officials, his message touched those who have been directly affected by the crisis. "Don't turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, while the resources needed for healing, education, and restoration are nowhere to be found." After listening to testimonies from people in the North West Region, including members of the Muslim community, lay and religious women, internally displaced persons, and civil society actors, the Pope frowned at the growing global focus on weapons instead of human development, noting that ...