Pope Francis on a visit to Cameroon
By Ahone Heidi
Cameroon Church leaders and Catholic Christians have joined the mourning of Pope Francis. Tributes have been pouring in from Africa and across the world following the announcement, Monday April 21 that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88.
From Christians, Church authorities to political figures, Pope Francis has been hailed across Africa for advancing human rights, building bridges, and working for peace.
Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, died early Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican announced.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber announced the news
that sent shockwaves through Cameroon’s Catholic community.
“He was a holy man, an apostle of peace,” said Jean Ngombo, a Cameroonian church official.
“We remember him standing with war-torn nations – like when he visited the Central African Republic a decade ago, pleading for tolerance and reconciliation.”
Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui recalled that historic 2015 visit in a recent Vatican News interview: “Through God’s servant, we felt hope radiating from Rome – a pope who came to heal wounds, to plant seeds of forgiveness where there had been only hatred.”
In Yaoundé, educator Julien Nga mourned “a champion of the marginalized,” noting the pontiff’s final hours included urging U.S. Vice President JD Vance to protect migrants. Douala accountant Félix Onana struggled to contain his grief: “This pain runs deep. May God grant us wisdom in selecting his successor.”
While expected after months of declining health – including a February hospitalization for double pneumonia – the death still stunned believers. “We’d been praying for his recovery,” said Onana, referencing the pope’s frail Easter appearance where, for the first time in his papacy, he delivered the Urbi et Orbi blessing from a wheelchair rather than celebrating Mass.
“The resurrection symbolism is profound,” observed Cameroonian Catholic Paul Ayin. “He held on to share Christ’s message one last Easter. This wasn’t just a death – it was a holy passing.”
The pontiff leaves an enduring African legacy, particularly in Cameroon where he hosted President Paul Biya for Vatican audiences in 2013 and 2017. These meetings reinforced the Holy See’s partnership with Yaoundé on peacebuilding and religious freedom, while consistently praising the Church’s contributions to Cameroonian education and healthcare.
