Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday for the second leg of his African tour, where he is scheduled to meet President Paul Biya, according to Associated Press.
Biya, 93, has been in power since 1982, having previously served as prime minister before assuming the presidency.
Cameroon, home to around 30 million people, has a predominantly Christian population, with more than half identifying as Christians and roughly a quarter as Catholics, according to global religion data. Muslims make up about 20% of the population.
The visit comes as the country continues to face significant economic and political challenges, including rising debt levels, corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and high youth unemployment. Nearly 40% of the population is estimated to be living in poverty.
Cameroon has also drawn criticism over restrictions on political opposition and press freedoms, adding to concerns about governance in the country.
The papal visit to Cameroon follows an earlier stop in Algeria. The tour is expected to continue with visits to Angola and Equatorial Africa.
