At an open-air Mass, the pontiff urged solidarity, civic responsibility, and special care for the poor.YAOUND\u00c9, Cameroon \u2014 Pope Leo XIV on Saturday celebrated Mass at Yaound\u00e9-Ville Airport in the final public event of his apostolic journey to Cameroon, telling thousands of faithful that \u201cno one must be left alone to confront life\u2019s adversities.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear brothers and sisters, peace be with you! It is the peace of Christ, whose presence illuminates our path and calms life\u2019s storms,\u201d Leo said. \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drawing from St. John\u2019s account of the disciples at sea, the pope said that in Jewish tradition, water \u201coften calls to mind the netherworld, chaos, danger and death,\u201d while also recalling the Exodus, when God led his people through the waters to freedom.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout the ages, the Church has navigated many storms and \u2018strong winds,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cWe too can identify with the feelings of fear and doubt experienced by the disciples while crossing the lake of Tiberias.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such moments, he said, come when people feel overwhelmed, alone, and weak. \u201cBut it is not so,\u201d the pope said. \u201cJesus is with us always, stronger than any power of evil. In every storm, he comes to us and repeats: \u2018I am here with you: do not be afraid.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 Yaound\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Another distinctive moment was the procession of the Gospel, 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe invites us not to distance ourselves from those who suffer, but to draw near to them, to embrace them,\u201d the pope said. \u201cNo one must be left alone to confront life\u2019s 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 \u2014 be they social, political, medical or economic \u2014 everyone can give and receive assistance according to their own capacity and needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope then widened his reflection to social and political life, saying Jesus\u2019 words \u201cIt is I\u201d remind Christians that every person\u2019s contribution matters in a society founded on respect for human dignity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe exhortation \u2018do not be afraid,\u2019 then, takes on a broader meaning, even at a social and political level, as an encouragement to confront problems and challenges \u2014 particularly those associated with poverty and justice \u2014 together, with a sense of civic and civil responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith does not separate the spiritual from the social,\u201d Leo continued. \u201cIndeed, it gives Christians the strength to interact with the world, responding to the needs of others, especially the weakest.\u201d<\/p>\n
He warned that isolated efforts are not enough to save a community and said what is needed is \u201ca 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referring to the day\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cListening 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Leo said family and social life also sometimes require \u201cthe courage to change mindsets and structures,\u201d so that the dignity of the human person remains central and inequality and marginalization can be overcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod who became man identified himself with the least, and this makes the preferential care for the poor a fundamental part of our Christian identity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At the close of the Mass, the pope bid farewell to the people of Cameroon, praising the local Church for its vitality and harmony.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Church in Cameroon is alive, young, blessed with gifts and enthusiasm, energetic in its variety and magnificent in its harmony,\u201d he said. \u201cWith the help of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, may your joyful presence continue to blossom.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the \u201cstrong winds, which are never lacking in life,\u201d can become opportunities for growth \u201cin the joyful service of God and your brothers and sisters through sharing, listening, praying and the desire to grow together.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n