Pope Leo XIV spoke pointedly on the first day of his visit to Cameroon, urging leaders to examine their conscience. He called for an end to corruption and human rights abuses, addressing authorities including President Paul Biya.

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged Cameroon's leaders to examine their "conscience" and tackle corruption and rights abuses, in a pointed speech on the first day of his visit to the central African country. In his address in an unusually direct tone to officials, including President Paul Biya, 93, who has led the central African country with a tight grip since 1982, Leo urged Cameroon's authorities to "serve as bridges, never as sources of division, even when insecurity seems prevalent".