YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — Pope Leo XIV on Saturday celebrated Mass at Yaoundé-Ville Airport in the final public event of his apostolic journey to Cameroon, telling thousands of faithful that "no one must be left alone to confront life's adversities."
Before departing later in the day for Angola, the pope reflected on the Gospel account of Jesus walking on the water and tied it to the fears, crises, and social challenges faced by both individuals and nations.
"Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you! It is the peace of Christ, whose presence illuminates our path and calms life's storms," Leo said. "As we heard in the Gospel, faith does not spare us from tumult and tribulations. At times, it can seem that fear has the upper hand. However, we know that even in these moments, Jesus does not abandon us."
Drawing from St. John's account of the disciples at sea, the pope said that in Jewish tradition, water "often calls to mind the netherworld, chaos, danger and death," while also recalling the Exodus, when God led his people through the waters to freedom.
"Throughout the ages, the Church has navigated many storms and 'strong winds,'" he said. "We too can identify with the feelings of fear and doubt experienced by the disciples while crossing the lake of Tiberias."
Such moments, he said, come when people feel overwhelmed, alone, and weak. "But it is not so," the pope said. "Jesus is with us always, stronger than any power of evil. In every storm, he comes to us and repeats: 'I am here with you: do not be afraid.'"
Today's Mass was the votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles. The Prayer of the Faithful was recited in French, English, Ewondo, Nnanga, and Fulfulde. Many faithful were present, and a colorful crowd took part in the Mass with singing and dancing.
A particularly striking moment was the singing of the Gloria in the Ewondo language, performed by a choir of one thousand men and women from across the ecclesiastical province of Yaoundé.
Another distinctive moment was the procession of the Lectionary, led by traditional chiefs of the Ewondo culture. It underscored how the Word of God is the message of a King, worthy of a royal accompaniment before being solemnly proclaimed.
Leo said Christ does not always calm the storm immediately, but instead comes near in the midst of danger and teaches his followers to remain together in the same boat.
"He invites us not to distance ourselves from those who suffer, but to draw near to them, to embrace them," the pope said. "No one must be left alone to confront life's adversities. For this reason, every community has the obligation to create and sustain structures of solidarity and mutual aid in which, when faced with crises — be they social, political, medical or economic — everyone can give and receive assistance according to their own capacity and needs."
The pope then widened his reflection to social and political life, saying Jesus' words "It is I" remind Christians that every person's contribution matters in a society founded on respect for human dignity.
"The exhortation 'do not be afraid,' then, takes on a broader meaning, even at a social and political level, as an encouragement to confront problems and challenges — particularly those associated with poverty and justice — together, with a sense of civic and civil responsibility," he said.
"Faith does not separate the spiritual from the social," Leo continued. "Indeed, it gives Christians the strength to interact with the world, responding to the needs of others, especially the weakest."
He warned that isolated efforts are not enough to save a community and said what is needed is "a communal commitment, which integrates the spiritual and moral dimensions of the Gospel in the heart of local institutions and structures, making them instruments for the common good, and not places of conflict, self-interest or sterile struggles."
Referring to the day's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the pope recalled how the early Church faced its first internal crisis when some members were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Apostles, he said, responded by gathering together, praying, and creating new structures of service for the good of the community.
"Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and being attentive to the cry of the suffering, they not only avoided division within the community, but they also equipped it with new instruments suitable to its growth, transforming a moment of crisis into an occasion of enrichment and development for everyone," he said.
Leo said family and social life also sometimes require "the courage to change mindsets and structures," so that the dignity of the human person remains central and inequality and marginalization can be overcome.
"God who became man identified himself with the least, and this makes the preferential care for the poor a fundamental part of our Christian identity," he said.
At the close of the Mass, the pope bid farewell to the people of Cameroon, praising the local Church for its vitality and harmony.
"The Church in Cameroon is alive, young, blessed with gifts and enthusiasm, energetic in its variety and magnificent in its harmony," he said. "With the help of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, may your joyful presence continue to blossom."
He added that the "strong winds, which are never lacking in life," can become opportunities for growth "in the joyful service of God and your brothers and sisters through sharing, listening, praying and the desire to grow together."
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
