Vatican & World News 18.04.2026

0:00Laudatoa Jesus Christos, Vatican and World News. In the headlines this Saturday, the 18th of April, Pope Leo XIV, wraps up the second leg of his apostolic visit in Cameroon, celebrating mass for over 200,000 faithful. Our correspondent on the ground highlights some of the salient moments in these past three days. And as the Pope begins his three-day visit to Angola, we look to the hopes of a nation yearning for reconciliation and fraternity. In the Vatican, I'm Linda Baudoni. With over 200,000 faithful on hand and hundreds of thousands watching in surrounding areas, Pope Leo led the final celebration of his visit to Cameroon on Saturday morning. Presiding over the concluding mass at Yauen day's airport,

1:03the Pope expressed his profound gratitude for the joyous welcome he'd received. He reminded the people that the peace of Christ calms life's storms and helps us go forward with courage and hope. That is Jones reports. The joyous celebration marked the culmination of the Pope's four-day visit to Cameroon before his afternoon departure for Angola. In his homily given in French, the Pope reflected on the day's gospel reading, recounting on how Jesus' disciples navigated the strong winds while crossing the lake of Tiberius. But they had feelings of fear and doubt. The Pope recalled how the church down through the ages has navigated many storms, just as we must do the same in our own lives. And at times, life's tribulations can make us feel overwhelmed, acknowledged yet we must always remember that Jesus is with us always.

2:09Pope said knowing that Jesus never abandons us allows us to get up after every fall and not allow the storms of life to stop us. He said, we go forward always with courage and trust. And while faith does not spare us from tumult and tribulations, we can be assured that Jesus is with us. And as Jesus is with us, we must also be close to those who are afraid and suffering, he said, saying we must draw near to them and embrace them, since no one must be left alone to confront life's adversities. The Pope said this is why every community needs to create and support another with mutual aid, especially when faced with crises, be they social, political, medical, or economic. Everyone can give and receive assistance according to their own capacity and needs. In conclusion, the Pope said the church in Cameroon is alive, young, blessed with gifts and enthusiasm, energetic in its variety and magnificent in its harmony.

3:14And he said with the help of the Virgin Mary, our mother, their joyful presence may continue to blossom and may the strong winds which are never lacking in life be an occasion for growth in the joyful service of God and your brothers and sisters through sharing, visiting, praying, and desire to grow together. Back to his jokes. Sister Pascale Nicolaa Belgian Carmelate, Nun and Dr. Red, one of the intercessory prayers at that mass in Duala. She works at the leprosarium of Dibamba and at the Pair Francisco Palau ortho-bedic centre in Yasabanga Bacoco. Reflecting on the Pope's time in the country, Sister Pascale highlighted the importance of his message of solidarity and the consoling nature. His presence brought to people living through a nine-year internal conflict. For many years, we have been waiting for a clear word about the situation.

4:18And I think that the Pope, he talked the truth. He put the finger where the problems are already with a lot of sincerity, simplicity. It's not only for the political, but it's for the responsibility of each one of us. Because the situation here, I think we have reached a level of corruption, which is very high, but not only for the political. I think everybody of us, we should think of what we could do to change the situation. So the Pope denounced a lot with a lot of truth. I think it touched the heart and the mind of many, many people. Many people could recognize themselves. Also, he allowed people, he allowed people in Bamente also to talk to share their proper experience. And it's very important because that crisis that we are facing for more, almost ten years, it has been very silentful. So I think it was very important to make known to the world,

5:22the entire world, the situation here in Cameroon, suffering the people have been passing through. So for me, it was very important because people are very disparate, but to see that the Pope can understand the problematics, can hear the problems, give the word to the people. I think it is a sign of great, great hope for the people. And I think also his words are encouraging us, engaging us also to respond to this like, to face our own responsibility in the situation and to see what we could do. So it's very important, my sir, I'm very, very grateful to the Pope for his courage, his sincerity, the truth, the world of justice. So for me, I was very, very happy. And that was Sister Pascal Nicolas Injonde speaking there to Vatican Radio's Jal Derozif Tullak, who is still on the ground in Cameroon.

6:22He sent this report reflecting on some of the highlights of the Pope's visit to the country. Pope Leo was elected just over a year ago in May 2025. It soon became clear that he had a different style to his predecessor Pope Francis. He was quieter and more reserved. Those who had known him before his election described him as a good listener, someone who thought before he spoke. Still, it quickly became apparent that when Pope Leo has something to say, he says it. Nowhere has this been more clear than his apostolic journey to Cameroon, which came to an end earlier today. Throughout the three day visit, the Pope has spoken out strongly, time and time again about the issues facing Cameroonian society. On Wednesday, just after his arrival in the country, he urged Cameroon's government to root out corruption and resist, quote, the whims of the rich and powerful. On Thursday, he visited Bimenda, a city in Cameroon's troubled Northwest region, which is at the centre of a decade-long conflict. The Pope told a gathering of local leaders that quote,

7:23the masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild. On Friday, his last full day in the country, the Pope addressed another of Cameroon's pressing problems, hunger. In his homily at mass in Dwala, the country's economic hub, the Pope said that Jesus encourages us to look at the Hungary and asks each one of us a question, what will you do to help them? The Cameroonian people's joy over this paper visit has been on full display over the past three days. Now the question is to what extent they, and in particular their political leaders, can put his message into practice. From Yarn Day, this is Joseph Tollock reporting. And following that mass at Yarn Day airport, Pope Leo embarked on the papal plain heading for Angola, the third leg of his four-country apostolic journey across Africa. During the flight to the Pope took time to thank journalists for their hard work

8:26and to express gratitude for the extraordinary welcome given to him by Cameroonians. And responding to questions, he also clarified that his speeches were prepared weeks in advance. They should not be interpreted as if I was trying to debate with the US president, he said, which is not in my interest at all. He arrived in Angola's capital city, Luanda, on Saturday afternoon, where he was welcomed by the apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Crispin Dubiel, and by a group of religious and civil representatives. His first appointment in Luanda is the customary cursesy visit to the president of the republic, and it is followed by a meeting with authority, civil society, and the diplomatic corps. Meanwhile, awaiting the Pope in Angola, Vatican Radio's Olivier Bonnell, Pedro Timotillo, a journalist at Radio Eclesia, what Angolans are expecting. It's a big event. The people here are waiting a message that can unite the people.

9:29We still have something that can go to the reconciliation of the people. It is not too good now. We will have the election next year. And when we are about to have the election, the weather goes tense. We wait that Pope tell teams that can calm the people also, and so that we can make grow our brotherhood. Sorry, congratulations. We will be at the heart of this visit, according to you. I hope so. When the Pope speaks, the people here. And I hope that Pope can tell something about this mirror, so that the politics can hear and try to practice more these reconciliation. And that was Vatican Radio's Olivier Bonnell speaking there to Pedro Timotillo, a journalist at Radio Eclesia in Luanda.

10:29Also on the ground in Angola is Vatican Radio's Stefan von Kempis. He spoke to Franciscan, father Silva Antonio of our Lady of Fatima Parish in Luanda, about the desperate need for reconciliation in the country and about other issues afflicting the southwestern nation. Angola is a country with several problems. Social problems, sectory problems. But we have the hope for the future. If everyone does what they have to do, maybe we can also become a very good and great country where everyone could have the basic for living. Unfortunately, sometimes we have the policy what is not correct and we have constructed an extratification

11:32what didn't help everyone. So, his resource, Angola, is a very rich country. Have petrol, have diamond, have all other resources in this country. But unfortunately, sometimes it don't save for everyone. What do you expect of the Pope's visit? What do we want him to say which kind of word to the church and to the society? What I expect maybe is the hope for every Angolan to heal from the Pope, the message for peace, reconciliation, hope. And to say you are capable to do and to live with dignity not only his Christian, but also his civilisation.

12:32Thanks there to Vatican Radio's Stefan von Campus, speaking to Franciscan Capuchon father Silva Antonio of our Lady of Fatima Parish in Luanda. Meanwhile, after meeting with the authorities on Saturday afternoon, the Pope's journey continues on Sunday with a helicopter ride to Kilamba just outside Luanda where he will celebrate Mass and then take a helicopter ride, excuse me, to Mouxima Marion Shrine. There he will pray the rosary and address the faithful. Of course, we will continue to bring you full coverage of the people events on all of our platforms. And that's all for this edition of Vatican and World News. Join us again tomorrow at this same time for more.

13:32And of course, follow us on VaticanNews.VAX, Instagram and the English YouTube channel. My thanks go to Damien Loccaperio in studio. In the Vatican, I'm Linda Baudoni. Bye-bye.