The Pope's visit to Cameroon is part of his Africa visit..

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday called for peace during a visit to a “bloodstained” region of Cameroon, gripped by an English-speaking separatist conflict for nearly a decade.

Under military escort, the US-born pontiff blessed crowds gathered in the northwestern city of Bamenda from a vehicle fitted with bulletproof windows.

Residents, singing and waving Vatican and Cameroonian flags, welcomed him in traditional attire bearing his image.

“Let us serve peace together!” Leo said in a speech at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, describing the area as a “bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated”.

He criticised the exploitation of resources, saying profits were often reinvested in weapons, fuelling instability and violence.

“Billions are spent on killing and devastation, while resources for healing and education are lacking,” he added.

The pope also urged Cameroon’s leadership to address corruption and human rights abuses during remarks at the presidential palace attended by President Paul Biya.

“Security is a priority, but it must be exercised with respect for human rights,” he said.

Leo’s visit, the fourth by a pope to Cameroon and the first since Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, comes months after protests against Biya’s re-election were suppressed.

The trip forms part of a wider African tour and follows criticism from Donald Trump over the pope’s stance on global conflicts.

Security was tightened in Bamenda ahead of the visit, as Cameroon’s anglophone regions continue to face violence stemming from separatist attempts to form the self-declared Republic of Ambazonia.

The conflict began in 2016 after authorities cracked down on protests by English-speaking communities who said they were marginalised.

At least 6,000 people have been killed, according to the United Nations.

Separatist groups announced a temporary truce to allow the pope’s visit, expressing hope it could revive dialogue with the government.