The pope celebrated Mass in French in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, during the second leg of his trip in Africa.DOUALA, Cameroon \u2014 Physical food is not enough; the soul needs the nourishment of the Eucharist, which sustains us in times of fear and suffering, Pope Leo XIV said at a Mass in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday.<\/p>\n
Celebrating Mass for more than 120,000 people outside Japoma Stadium, in Cameroon\u2019s economic capital, the pope said in his homily that Jesus\u2019 miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is a sign he came to serve with love, not domination.<\/p>\n
The miracle \u201cshows us not only how God provides humanity with the bread of life but how we can share this sustenance with all men and women who, like ourselves, hunger for peace, freedom, and justice,\u201d Leo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach act of solidarity and forgiveness, every good effort, becomes a morsel of bread for humanity in need of care,\u201d the pope added.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet this alone is not enough: The food that sustains the body must be accompanied, with equal charity, by nourishment for the soul \u2014 a nourishment that sustains our conscience and steadies us in dark hours of fear and amid the shadows of suffering. This food is Christ himself, who always gives his Church abundant sustenance and strengthens us on our journey by giving us his Eucharistic body,” he said.<\/p>\n
Leo celebrated Mass in French in Douala on his third day in Cameroon. On April 18, he will celebrate Mass in the country\u2019s capital, Yaound\u00e9, before departing for the third country of his apostolic journey in Africa \u2014 Angola.<\/p>\n
Livestream of the Holy Mass in Douala, Cameroon, celebrated by Pope Leo XIV<\/p>\n
In his homily, delivered mostly in French, the pope reflected on the miracle of the loaves and fishes, comparing the crowd in the Gospel to those present at the Mass.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gospel we have heard (John 6:1-15) is the word of salvation for all humanity. This good news is proclaimed today throughout the world; for the Church in Cameroon, it resounds as a providential proclamation of God\u2019s love and of our communion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Describing the scene in the Gospel, Pope Leo focused on the crowd and the lack of food: \u201cJesus asks us today, just as he asked his disciples then: How will you solve this problem? Look at all these hungry people, weighed down by fatigue. What will you do?\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope stressed that this question concerns everyone: \u201cIt is posed to the fathers and mothers who care for their families. It is directed to the shepherds of the Church, who watch over the Lord\u2019s flock, and also to those who bear social and political responsibility for the people and seek their well-being. Christ asks this question to the powerful and the weak, to the rich and the poor, to the young and the elderly, because we all hunger in the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur necessity reminds us that we are creatures,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe need to eat in order to live. We are not God: but where is God in the face of people\u2019s hunger?\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to Christ\u2019s response, Leo underlined the meaning of thanksgiving and sharing: \u201cWhile awaiting our answers, Jesus gives his own: \u2018Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.\u2019 A serious problem was solved by blessing the little food that was present and sharing it with all who were hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the miracle is that \u201cthere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pointing to the Mass being celebrated, the pope highlighted its transforming power as \u201ca source of renewed faith, because Jesus becomes present among us. The sacrament [of the Eucharist] does not merely revive a distant memory; it brings about a \u2018companionship\u2019 that transforms us because it sanctifies us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis very altar, around which we gather for the Eucharist, becomes a proclamation of hope amid the trials of history and the injustices we see around us. It is a sign of God\u2019s love; in Christ, the Father invites us to share what we have, so that it may be multiplied in ecclesial fellowship,\u201d Leo said.<\/p>\n
Switching to English, Pope Leo addressed young people, asking them to \u201cbe the first faces and hands that bring the bread of life to your neighbors, providing them with the food of wisdom and deliverance from all that does not nourish them, but rather obscures good desires and robs them of their dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the realities of poverty, he issued a warning against violence and corruption, urging them to \u201cnot give in to distrust and discouragement\u201d and to \u201creject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not forget that your people are even richer than this land, for your treasure lies in your values: faith, family, hospitality, and work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Follow the Live Updates of Pope Leo\u2019s Trip in Africa available at EWTN News.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n