From April 15-18, 2026, Pope Leo XIV made a historic visit to Cameroon, journeying through Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala with messages that resonated deeply with the nation's struggles and hopes. In Douala, he challenged the faithful: "Give them something to eat yourselves"—a call to become active instruments of love rather than passive spectators. In Yaoundé, his theme "Peace and justice have met" reminded leaders and citizens alike that true peace cannot exist without justice lived in truth and integrity.
But it was in Bamenda, in the heart of Cameroon's Anglophone region scarred by years of crisis, that the papal visit carried a particularly profound weight. Sister Véronique spoke with Sister Charlotte, a healthcare worker, and Sister Lizette about their experience of this grace-filled moment.
A historic moment for the Anglophone region
Sister Véronique: Sister Charlotte, what can you say about the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Bamenda, and how did you experience caring for the population in such a significant moment?
Sister Charlotte: The Pope's visit to Bamenda was profoundly moving—spiritually, professionally, and socially. This was the first time a Pope had ever visited the Anglophone heartland of Cameroon. For those of us who live and work in the northwest region and have witnessed so much pain and fear over the years of this crisis, his presence was a great consolation. That alone felt like a miracle.
As part of the healthcare team, we were on standby for the largest public gathering seen in years—hundreds of thousands of people from different walks of life. We were caring for people in the middle of a historic event.
What touched me most was the Pope's message urging us all to see ourselves as builders of peace, encouraging forgiveness and reconciliation in a region still deeply scarred by violence. As healthcare workers, that is exactly what we try to do every day. We do not ask whether you are Anglophone or Francophone, Christian or Muslim, believer or non-believer. We simply care for the human person in front of us.
Pope Leo said, "I am here to proclaim peace, yet I find it is you who are proclaiming peace to me and to the entire world." He asked us to be "like oil poured out upon the wounds of our brothers and sisters." When I heard these words, I felt he was speaking directly to every nurse, every doctor, every healthcare worker who has continued to show up and serve through the darkest times. It reminded me that our work is not just medical—it is a ministry of peace.
At St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral, the Holy Father said, "Let us move forward courageously without losing heart and all together, always together, let us walk together in love, searching always for peace." My prayer is that his words will not remain only on our lips or social media, but will take flesh in our lives—that we will reflect deeply and take concrete actions that lead to peace and justice, each of us at our own level.
Living the Gospel authentically
Sister Véronique: Sister Lizette, can you share your experience of the Pope's visit, especially in Bamenda? What touched you most and how has it influenced your faith and mission?
Sister Lizette: I am so grateful to have participated in this occasion. The Pope's visit to Cameroon is remembered as a moment of grace and encouragement for the local church and for me personally.
What touched me most was his strong call to live the gospel authentically. During his visit in Douala, he emphasized that the Church—especially young people—should be the good news to our country, instruments of peace. To live this gospel authentically, we must make peace, we must reconcile, and we must be of service to everyone we meet.
He reminded me that faith must be visible in daily actions. This continues to influence my mission today by encouraging me to serve others with humility, promote unity around me, and remain committed to truth and love in whatever I do. In my ministry, I want to be the good news to those I encounter each day—to be that person who, when met by others, radiates love and peace, making them feel at home.
This is an event I will never forget in my life. I pray that through his message, we might be able to implement all of this and for peace to reign once more in our beloved country Cameroon.
A Call to transformation
Today, Cameroon has been visited not only by a shepherd but by a message that calls each of us to transformation. Peace has been given to us as a gift—a gift we must receive, protect, and share.
The question remains: What will we do with what we have received? Let us go and live it.
Listen to the full "Seeds of Unity" podcast episode to hear Sister Charlotte and Sister Lizette's complete reflections on this historic visit:
By Veronique Metiendjo
Sister Véronique Métien-Diom hosts the "Seeds of Unity" podcast for the Holy Union Sisters Cameroon Area.