Pope Leo
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church addressed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa.
“In light of the understandable trend to migrate – which can make it easier for someone else to find a better future – I invite you, first and foremost, to respond with a fervent desire to serve your country and apply the knowledge you gain here for the benefit of your fellow citizens,” Leo said.
While displacement in Africa has steadily increased in recent years due to economic and political challenges, Leo said every country’s rising generations must be “engaged in society,” reflect the needs of their country and address systemic issues at home.
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Pope Leo (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
“Africa must indeed be freed from the scourge of corruption. For young people, this consciousness must take root in their formative years,” he said.
“These are the witnesses of wisdom and justice that the African continent needs.”
He added that through education and spiritual formation you “learn to become builders of the future of your respective countries and of a world that is more just and humane.”
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Pope Leo (Ahmet Emin Donmez/Anadolu)
According to According to the World Migration Report, the majority of displacement in Africa takes place within the continent, with 21 million Africans living in another African country in 2020.
Overseas African migration has also increased steadily, with figures more than doubling between 1990 and 2020.
In 2020, approximately 11 million Africans reportedly migrated to Europe, 5 million to Asia and 3 million to North America.
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Pope Leo XIV visits the Central African Catholic University as part of his Africa tour on April 17, 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. (Ahmet Emin Donmez/Anadolu)
The causes of displacement are largely attributed to political conflict, corruption, violence and economic hardship, including widespread poverty.
These factors are particularly pronounced in countries such as Somalia, one of Africa’s largest sources of refugees; Nigeria, ravaged by natural disasters and economic pressures; and the surrounding areas of Sudan, where civil war, political instability and food insecurity have led to large-scale displacement.
The pope’s comments come just days after President Donald Trump criticized Leo on Truth Social, calling him “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.”
The response followed the pope’s criticism of the US-Israeli war in Iran and his call for a return to peace.
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Tensions between the two rose for several days before the pope said last Saturday that it was “not at all in my interest” to debate the president.
Leo has emphasized that his position is aimed at bridging the gap between nations and promoting peace and reconciliation.
