More than 120,000 people joined Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon for an open-air Mass, marking the largest crowd so far during his 11-day Africa tour. Arriving in the economic city of Douala on Friday, the Pope reiterated his message of peace after visiting the country's Anglophone region, which has been hit by a decade-long rebellion the day before.

Jubilant crowds welcomed the Pope as he arrived at the Japoma Stadium. Standing in his vehicle, known as the Popemobile, the pontiff waved at the droves of people waiting for his entrance. Some worshippers camped outside the premises on Thursday night to secure a prime spot for the Pope's address, with some having been there for over 24 hours. By Friday, tens of thousands of people of all ages, including several from the priesthood, braved the heat to participate in the occasion.

The Pope's message on Friday focused on spiritual matters, encouraging young people to diversify their talents and support their communities. He stated, "Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive." Some attendees told the BBC they were happy to have seen and listened to the Pope, echoing a growing desire for peace to return to the conflict-hit nation.

The Pope also warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), which he said is leading to the spread of "polarisation, conflict, fear and violence." In the capital, Yaounde, he gave a speech at the Catholic University of Central Africa, discussing AI's role in bringing about a "transformation in our very relationship with the truth." He condemned the "relentless pursuit of raw material and rare earths," such as cobalt, heavily mined in Africa and widely used in electronics.

His 11-day trip started on Monday with Algeria, marking the first visit to a Muslim-majority country by any Pope. On Saturday, the Pope travels to Angola and will end his tour of the continent in Equatorial Guinea.

Source: www.bbc.com