Pope Leo XIV presided over a Mass attended by about 120,000 faithful at Japoma Stadium in the southwestern city of Douala, Cameroon on April 17, urging Christians to respond to hunger and suffering through sharing, solidarity, and faith, according to Vatican News.
In his homily, the Pope reflected on the Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, drawing parallels with present-day realities. As reported by Vatican News, he noted that people today continue to ask: “Where is God in the face of people’s hunger?”
Pope Leo responded by pointing to Jesus’ example of sharing. “A serious problem was solved by blessing the little food that was present and sharing it with all who were hungry,” he said, as cited by Vatican News. “The multiplication of the loaves and the fish happened while sharing: that is the miracle.”
He emphasized that scarcity often results from human actions such as conflict, hoarding, and waste. “As long as bread is not stolen in strife, hoarded through rationing, or wasted by those who gorged themselves, there is food for everyone,” he said.
Beyond material hunger, the Pope highlighted the human need for peace, freedom, and justice. Every act of solidarity and forgiveness, he said, becomes “a morsel of bread for humanity in need of care.”
At the same time, he stressed that material assistance must be accompanied by spiritual nourishment. “The food that sustains the body must be accompanied, with equal charity, by nourishment for the soul,” he said, noting that Christ offers this through the Eucharist, which strengthens believers in times of fear and suffering.
The Pope encouraged Catholics to receive the Eucharist as a sign of God’s love and a call to share generously. He reminded the faithful that God is present in every human situation, aware of both joys and struggles.
Addressing young people in Africa, Pope Leo urged them to “multiply your talents through faith, perseverance, and friendship.” He called on them to become agents of change in their communities, bringing hope and dignity to others.
“Be the first faces and hands that bring the bread of life to your neighbors,” he said, encouraging them to offer not only material help but also wisdom and guidance.
Pope Leo further encouraged African youth to follow their vocation and take responsibility for their future. “Do not let yourselves be corrupted by temptations that waste your energies and do not serve the progress of society,” he said.
Concluding his homily, the Pope called on Christians to proclaim the message of the Risen Christ through concrete actions.
“Proclaiming the Risen Jesus means leaving signs of justice in a suffering and oppressed land, signs of peace amid rivalry and corruption, signs of faith that free us from superstition and indifference,” he said.
The Mass in Douala marked a key moment in the Pope’s pastoral visit to Cameroon, highlighting themes of solidarity, justice, and hope for the Church and society, Vatican News reported.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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