Finance
Pope Leo, in Cameroon, Decries World Ruled by 'tyrants' After Trump Attacks
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 16, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 16, 2026
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In Bamenda on April 16, Pope Leo XIV sharply criticized world leaders for waging wars while masquerading as defenders of faith, calling them “tyrants” and urging reform amid Cameroon’s long‑running Anglophone conflict. His remarks follow escalating attacks from U.S. President Donald Trump on social
Pope Leo in Cameroon Slams World Leaders and Urges Decisive Change
Pope Leo's Forceful Remarks in Cameroon
Criticism of Global Leadership and War Spending
BAMENDA, Cameroon, April 16 (Reuters) - Pope Leo blasted leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants", in unusually forceful remarks in Cameroon on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked him again on social media.
Condemnation of Religious Justifications for War
Leo, the first U.S. pope, also decried leaders who used religious language to justify wars and urged a "decisive change of course" in a meeting in the biggest city in Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where a simmering conflict going back nearly a decade has left thousands dead.
Media Coverage and Reporting
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Pope Leo XIV condemned global leaders prioritizing war spending over justice, denouncing a world “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and urging a decisive shift in direction.
- •His Cameroon visit underscores the escalating Anglophone crisis, a nearly decade‑long conflict in the English‑speaking regions that has displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed thousands of lives.
- •Pope Leo’s forceful tone comes amid heightened tensions after President Trump attacked him on social media—calling him “weak” and portraying himself in a Christ‑like image, drawing criticism from various quarters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo, in Cameroon, decries world ruled by 'tyrants' after Trump attacks
1Why did Pope Leo criticize world leaders in Cameroon?
Pope Leo criticized leaders for spending billions on wars and accused them of being tyrants responsible for global suffering.
2What prompted Pope Leo's remarks about tyranny?
His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked him on social media, intensifying his criticism of world leaders.
3What was the main message Pope Leo delivered in Cameroon?
He called for a decisive change of course, urging leaders to stop using religious language to justify wars.
4Where in Cameroon did the Pope make his remarks?
Pope Leo spoke in Bamenda, the largest city in Cameroon's English-speaking regions affected by ongoing conflict.
5How is the situation in Cameroon's English-speaking regions relevant to Pope Leo's speech?
The area has experienced nearly a decade of conflict, which reflects the global issue of leaders fueling wars that Pope Leo condemned.
