The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon has triggered mixed reactions, with supporters and critics viewing the trip as both a spiritual milestone and a potential political opportunity for President Paul Biya.
The Pope is scheduled to meet Biya on Wednesday at the start of a four-day visit to the largely Christian nation, where more than a third of its population is Catholic. The visit comes just months after violent protests following Biya’s contested re-election in October.
The 93-year-old leader, the world’s oldest head of state, has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and secured an eighth term in office, sparking unrest that left several dozen people dead, according to government figures.
Ahead of the visit, posters showing the Pope alongside Biya have appeared in major cities, fuelling concerns among sections of the clergy that the trip could be used to enhance the president’s international image.
Some Catholic figures have expressed discomfort, arguing that the visit risks being interpreted as an endorsement of Biya’s leadership amid allegations of electoral irregularities and state repression.
Influential Jesuit priest Ludovic Lado has been among the most vocal critics, previously warning on social media that the visit could be politically exploited. He later said he had been instructed not to comment further.
Opposition figure Jean-Baptiste Homsi also wrote an open letter to the Pope, warning that some citizens may perceive the visit as legitimising what he described as a “dictatorial regime.”
He added that others, however, see the Pope’s presence as a moral opportunity to speak directly to leaders accused of human rights abuses and corruption.
The Catholic Church remains highly influential in Cameroon, where bishops often engage in public discourse on national politics.
Archbishop of Douala Samuel Kleda said the visit should be used to promote peace and national reconciliation, particularly in regions affected by ongoing conflict.
“Our country has gone through many crises… this is our chance to show we are capable of transforming our country,” he said.
Kleda has previously been critical of Biya’s continued rule, describing his extended tenure as “not realistic” ahead of the 2025 election cycle.
Other senior clerics, including bishops in Bafoussam, Ngaoundéré and Yagoua, have also voiced criticism of the government, with some strongly opposing Biya’s leadership.
However, Archbishop of Yaoundé Jean Mbarga, who is considered close to the presidency, has dismissed claims of division within the Church, insisting that differing opinions reflect democratic debate.
The visit highlights the delicate balance between religious diplomacy and political perception in a country still grappling with post-election tensions and a long-running separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions.
