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"Cameroonians have welcomed Pope Leo XIV's visit as a powerful message of hope on Friday, with many believers saying it underscores the continent's growing importance to the Catholic Church. "The Pope chose to begin his tour in Africa for several reasons," one local said. "First, on a demographic level. Africa is the continent where Catholicism is growing fastest." "The second reason is in terms of peace-building. Africa today is experiencing many conflicts," he added. "So, [the Pope] comes to restore hope to those who have lost it, to tell them he hasn't abandoned them. He is at their bedside, he listens to them and he will pray for peace to return to Africa." Another local, Anne Doume, said she believes the Pope's visit reflects Africa's strong, active Christian faith - arguing the Europe, on the other hand, is seen as increasingly disengaged from Church life. "In Europe, people are no longer interested in Church matters. Yes, that's why they come here. And if he chose Cameroon, you know we have so many problems here. It's so we have hope that the Lord, through His coming. The Lord can show grace to Cameroon," she said. Father Roger Betia emphasised that the Church's mission is universal - not limited to Africa but relevant to all humanity. He also noted that the Pope's role extends beyond Catholics, reaching people of goodwill everywhere. "You saw that the other day. The pope who intervenes, he intervenes not only for the Catholic Church. He intervenes by touching even souls of good will," the priest pointed. "So, I believe that the emergence or vitality of the Church in Africa comes, therefore, as a disposition of Africans and of men and women in general to recognise the part of God in their lives." Betia argued that while Christianity continues to spread in Africa, Europe's moral debates are shaped by ideology and historical shifts, leading to more fragmented approaches to faith. "The moral questions are sometimes anchored in ideologies. As you already know, since the French Revolution and all historical movements, fragmented liberties give rise to this type of approach," he said Pope Leo XIV's visit to Cameroon wrapped up on Saturday, following stops at Yaounde, Bamenda and Douala. During his trip, the pontiff led several masses and paid a private visit to St Paul Catholic Hospital to offer prayers and blessings to patients and staff. The Pope's first apostolic visit to Africa runs from April 13 to 23, kicking off with his arrival in Algeria. He is also scheduled to visit Angola and Equatorial Guinea."
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