In a statement issued following the Wednesday, February 25 announcement of the April 15-18 visit, NECC members say the visit “represents a moment of great spiritual significance for the Church and the entire Cameroonian nation.”
The Holy Father’s 11-day Apostolic Journey will take him to four African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
According to Vatican officials, Pope Leo XIV is to visit Algiers and Annaba in Algeria from April 13 to 15; Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala in Cameroon from April 15 to 18; Luanda, Muxima, and Saurimo in Angola from April 18 to 21; and Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata in Equatorial Guinea from April 21 to 23.
“The Holy Father’s visit is above all pastoral in nature. He comes as a shepherd to encounter the people of God, to strengthen their faith, encourage their hope, and promote initiatives for peace, reconciliation, and solidarity,” the Catholic Church leaders say in their statement that NECC President Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, signed.
They note that the Holy Father’s “presence among us is a powerful sign of the closeness of the universal Church to Cameroon and to Africa.”
“This Apostolic Visit also reflects the Pope’s deep concern for the dignity of every human person, especially the poor, the vulnerable, young people, families, and all those affected by hardship,” NECC members say.
They continue, “It is an invitation to renew our commitment to unity, dialogue, justice, and the common good.”
NECC members invite Catholics and all people of goodwill to “begin preparing spiritually for this historic moment through prayer, reconciliation, and concrete acts of charity, so that the visit of Pope Leo XIV may bear lasting fruit in our lives and in our nation.”
“May this visit be a moment of grace for Cameroon, strengthening our faith and our resolve to walk together in peace and hope,” the Catholic Church leaders implore.
Pope Leo XIV is the first Pontiff in modern history with firsthand knowledge of Africa. Unlike his predecessors, he had already been to Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and Central Africa in person.