Pope criticises 'tyrants' who spend billions on wars after Trump spat
The comments follow a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who called the Pope weak on crime.
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Notable Quotes
"Peace is not something we must invent: it is something we must embrace by accepting our neighbour as a brother and as our sister."
— Pope Leo , Activist
"Leo should get his act together as Pope."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"Because, it is true: I am here to proclaim peace."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"Indeed, your religious leaders have come together to establish a Movement for Peace."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"It only takes a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"Bamenda, today you are the city on the hill, resplendent in the eyes of all."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"the world was being ravaged by a handful of tyrants"
— Pope Leo , Activist
"Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain."
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war."
— James Massa , Other
"tyrants who spend billions on wars"
— Pope Leo XIV , Other
"weak on crime"
— Donald Trump , Politician
Key People
Archbishop Fuanya is the Archbishop of Bamenda and played a significant role in the peace meeting.
Denis Salo is a family member of internally displaced persons who shared experiences during the peace meeting.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Fon Fru Asaah Angwafor IV is the Supreme Traditional Chief of Mankon who provided testimony during the peace meeting.
Fonki Samuel Forba is the Emeritus Moderator of the Presbyterian Church who attended the peace meeting.
Chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee on doctrine.
JD Vance is a United States Senator from Ohio and a prominent figure in conservative politics.
Imam Abubakar is the Imam of the Central Mosque of Buea who contributed to the peace meeting.
Pope Leo is the head of the Catholic Church and has recently criticized divisive global leadership.
Pope Leo XIV is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Sarah Mullally is the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
Sister Carine Tangiri Mangu is a consecrated religious Sister of St. Anne who spoke at the meeting.
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All Coverage
The comments follow a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who called the Pope weak on crime.
Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful appeal for peace and condemned what he described as 'a handful of tyrants' who are ravaging the world, in a speech on Thursday during a trip to four countries in Africa. Leo’s speech, delivered in northwestern Cameroon, came days after President Donald Trump sharply criticized the first U.S.-born pontiff in posts to social media. He also posted an apparently AI-generated image, later deleted, depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure.
Pope Leo XIV warned against leaders who use religion to justify war and exploitation, urging a 'decisive change of course' during his visit to Bamenda, Cameroon.
Pope Leo XIV criticized leaders who use religious language to justify wars and urged a 'decisive change of course' during his visit to Cameroon, following attacks from U.S. President Donald Trump on social media.
Pope Leo XIV stated that the world is being 'ravaged by a handful of tyrants' who spend billions on war, in comments that will be seen as another sharp escalation in his almost week-long feud with the White House over the US-Israel war on Iran. The first American-born pontiff did not mention Donald Trump by name, but used his speech in Cameroon on Thursday to denounce world leaders who invoke religion to justify violence against other nations.
During a visit to Bamenda, Cameroon, on April 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message condemning global violence and exploitation, particularly in conflict-ridden areas like Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest Region. His stop in Bamenda is part of a ten-day tour of four African nations. Greeted warmly by thousands of residents, Leo XIV led a prayer for peace amid an ongoing separatist conflict that has claimed over 6,000 lives since 2016. The pope's visit brought a temporary three-day truce, offering rare moments of relief and hope to locals who live in fear of violence.
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