Thousands of people gathered outside a stadium in Douala, Cameroon's largest city and economic hub, for a Mass with Pope Leo on Friday (April 17) that was billed as the biggest event of the pontiff's four-nation Africa tour.

The Vatican, citing local authorities, estimated that 120,000 people had headed towards Japoma Stadium to be part of the celebration and hear an address from the pope, who has become outspoken on war and inequality and drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Friday, after arriving in Douala by plane from Yaounde, the Pope said many in Cameroon experience "material and spiritual poverty" but called on believers to reject violence as a means to get ahead, regardless of the hardships they face.

"Do not give in to distrust and discouragement," the pope urged, in an appeal made in English during a speech that was otherwise mostly given in French.

"Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive."

Invoking the miracle of the loaves and fishes, in which Jesus fed thousands with meagre resources, Leo said, "There is bread for everyone if it is given to everyone. There is bread for everyone if it is taken, not with a hand that snatches away, but with a hand that gives."

Leo was due to spend about four hours in Douala, where he will also visit a Catholic hospital, before returning to Yaounde.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

DOUALA, CAMEROON (APRIL 17, 2026) (CRTV – Access All)

1. POPE LEO XIV AND CLERICS WALKING IN PROCESSION, MAKING SIGN OF CROSS TO AUDIENCE

2. AUDIENCE AND PAPAL PROCESSION

3. VARIOUS OF CHURCHGOERS DANCING AND SINGING

4. PAPAL PROCESSION IN JAPOMA STADIUM

5. CLERIC REMOVING MITRE, SHOWING ZUCCHETTO ON POPE LEO’S HEAD / POPE BOWING

6. POPE LEO DURING INCENSATION OF ALTAR

7. MARIMBA PLAYERS

8. POPE AND CLERICS BOWING TO STATUE OF MARY

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO XIV, SAYING (OVERLAID WITH CUTAWAYS OF CONGREGATION AS RECEIVED FROM SOURCE):

“The multiplication of the loaves and the fish happened while sharing: that is the miracle! There

is bread for everyone if it is given to everyone. There is bread for everyone if it is taken, not with a hand

that snatches away, but with a hand that gives.”

10. CROWD AT STADIUM

11. POPE LEO READING LITURGY, BLESSING THOSE IN ATTENDANCE

12. CHOIR SINGING

13. WOMAN BOWING HEAD, SINGING

14. CLERICS LISTENING

15. VARIOUS OF WOMEN LISTENING

16. PROCESSION WITH MAN CARRYING GILDED BOOK

17. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO RECEIVING BOOK

18. CROWD DURING MASS

19. MAN LEADING SONG DURING MASS

20. CONGREGATION SINGING

21. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE LEO XIV, SAYING (OVERLAID WITH CUTAWAYS OF CONGREGATION AS RECEIVED FROM SOURCE):

"Despite the richness of the land in Cameroon, many experience both material and spiritual poverty. Do not give in to distrust and discouragement. Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive."

22. VARIOUS OF POPE HOLDING WAFER DURING COMMUNION

23. CLERICS HOLDING BOOKS

24. POPE LEO AND CLERIC OFFERING WINE AND BREAD DURING MASS

25. CLERICS KNEELING

26. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO BREAKING BREAD

27. WOMEN SINGING

28. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO TAKING COMMUNION

29. POPE LEO SERVING COMMUNION TO CLERICS ON STAGE

30. VARIOUS OF PRIESTS SERVING COMMUNION TO CONGREGATION

31. CROWD LISTENING

32. MAN DANCING

33. CROWD GATHERING OUTSIDE STADIUM