Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, marking the second leg of his apostolic journey across Africa after beginning in Algeria. He landed at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport at 2:57 p.m. Local time and was welcomed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, with two children also greeting him upon arrival.
The Pope’s visit to Cameroon, which will continue until Saturday, April 18, includes stops in Yaoundé as well as the metropolitan sees of Bamenda and Douala. His itinerary features a private meeting with President Paul Barthélemy Biya at the Presidential Palace, an address to national authorities and civil society, a visit to the Ngul Zamba Orphanage and a private audience with Cameroonian bishops at the Episcopal Conference headquarters.
Following Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Angola and Equatorial Guinea before returning to Rome on Thursday, April 23. The journey underscores the Vatican’s growing focus on Africa, where Catholicism continues to expand rapidly despite limited representation in global church leadership.
According to current estimates, Catholics make up approximately 30% to 35% of Cameroon’s population, reflecting a significant and growing presence. The Church in Cameroon has deep historical roots, dating back to late 19th-century missionary activity under German, French, and British colonial administrations, and remains a central institution in national life.
