Archbishop Nkea and the Auxiliary Bishop flanked by collaborators during presser
By Neba Jerome Ambe
On March 20, 2026, the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Andrew Nkea, underscored that achieving lasting peace requires time and commitment, cautioning against expectations of instant solutions as the Catholic Church prepares to welcome Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon next month.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held at the St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Hall in Big Mankon, Archbishop Nkea stressed that peace-building is a gradual process. “Peace cannot be activated like a switch,” he said, noting that meaningful reconciliation demands sustained effort from all stakeholders.
The briefing was organised ahead of the Holy Father’s scheduled visit to Cameroon from April 15 to 18, part of a broader 10-day pastoral tour of Africa that will also include Algeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
Archbishop Nkea clarified that the Pope’s visit should not be interpreted through a political lens. While acknowledging the Pontiff’s global influence, he emphasized that the Pope would not interfere in Cameroon’s internal affairs. “His role is pastoral. He brings a message that may touch hearts and inspire change, but not political solutions,” the Archbishop explained.
Despite this, he expressed optimism that the Pope’s presence could have a positive impact, particularly in the North-West Region, which has experienced years of socio-political unrest. According to him, Papal visits historically contribute to both spiritual renewal and social transformation.
Preparations for the visit are already visible, with improvements underway at key infrastructure sites, including the Bamenda airport and sections of the road network. The Archbishop noted that the event is being organized as an inclusive national moment, bringing together religious denominations, traditional authorities, civil society actors, and diverse community groups.
Describing the visit as “timely and encouraging,” Archbishop Nkea revealed that initial discussions began circulating in mid-2025, but official confirmation only came from the Vatican in March 2026. He attributed the delay in public communication to strict diplomatic protocols, including what he described as “pontifical secrecy.”
He explained that two formal invitations are required for a papal visit: one from the National Episcopal Conference and another from the State, reflecting the Pope’s dual role as spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican.
Archbishop Nkea talking on preparations ahead of the visit to Cameroon of Pope Leo XIV
Themes of visit
The general theme of the visit, “May They All Be One,” reflects a call for unity amid ongoing social and political challenges, including divisions and rising hate speech. “This mission is about humanity, reconciliation, and unity, not politics,” the Archbishop emphasized.
According to the official programme, Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Yaoundé on April 15, where he will be received by both state and church authorities and pay a courtesy visit to the Head of State.
On April 16, the Pontiff will travel to Bamenda, the highlight of the visit for the Ecclesiastical Province, which includes the dioceses of Bamenda, Kumbo, Mamfe, Kumba, and Buea. Under the theme “My Peace I Give You, My Peace I Leave You,” the Pope is expected to engage a wide cross-section of society, including traditional rulers, religious leaders from Muslim and Protestant communities, civil society representatives, internally displaced persons, and Catholic faithful.
He will arrive at the Bamenda airport at 11 a.m., proceed to the cathedral for a major encounter, and later celebrate Holy Mass before returning to Yaoundé the same day.
Subsequent activities will take place in Douala, where the Pope will meet young people under the theme “Give Them Yourselves Something to Eat,” while Yaoundé will host a gathering of three ecclesiastical provinces under the theme “Love and Truth Have Met, Justice and Peace Have Prevailed.”
On access to events, Archbishop Nkea announced that participation will be strictly by accreditation, with passes issued free of charge by the General Organizing Committee. He cautioned the public against misinformation, particularly claims of registration fees circulating online.
Concluding the briefing, the Archbishop called on media professionals to uphold ethical standards in their coverage and urged the public to receive the Pope’s message with openness. He reiterated that the visit is a spiritual mission intended to inspire unity and bless the nation.
For accurate updates, he advised the public to rely on official communication channels through diocesan authorities and the National Episcopal Conference.
