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

"the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants; it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters."

He stressed that peace is not something to be created, but accepted, saying,

"Peace is not something we must invent; it is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbor as our brother and as our sister."

The Pope also made it clear that his visit to Bamenda is centered on the people and their struggles, describing it as part of his mission to stand with those facing hardship:

"I am on a mission to serve; that is the reason why I am here in this world... Let us serve peace together."

His message stands as a strong call for change, urging both leaders and citizens to turn away from war and invest instead in education, opportunity, and human dignity, offering renewed hope for healing, unity, and a more peaceful future.






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