The head of the Roman Catholic Church used a stop in Cameroon to deliver a blunt message to young Africans: build your future at home, not abroad.
Speaking to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé during an 11-day trip across the continent, Pope Leo urged students to resist the pull of migration and instead invest their talents in their own countries.
“In the face of the understandable tendency to migrate — which may lead one to believe that elsewhere a better future may be more easily found — I invite you, first and foremost, to respond with an ardent desire to serve your country and to apply the knowledge you are acquiring here to the benefit of your fellow citizens,” Leo said.
Migration across Africa has surged in recent years, driven by political instability, weak economies, and ongoing conflict. Leo acknowledged those pressures but argued that the next generation has a responsibility to confront those problems directly.
He called on young people to stay engaged and tackle corruption head-on.
“Africa, indeed, must be freed from the scourge of corruption. For young people, this awareness must take root from their years of formation,” he said.
“These are the witnesses of wisdom and justice, of which the African continent needs.”
Leo said education and faith formation should prepare students to take on that challenge.
“You learn to become builders of the future of your respective countries and of a world that is more just and humane,” he said.
Data from the World Migration Report shows that most displacement within Africa occurs within the continent. As of 2020, about 21 million Africans were living in another African country.
At the same time, migration beyond Africa has climbed sharply. Between 1990 and 2020, the number of Africans moving overseas more than doubled. Roughly 11 million settled in Europe, 5 million in Asia, and 3 million in North America.
The driving forces remain consistent: conflict, corruption, violence, and economic hardship. Countries like Somalia continue to produce large numbers of refugees, while Nigeria faces pressure from disasters and economic strain. In and around Sudan, war and food insecurity have pushed millions from their homes.
Leo’s remarks also come amid a growing political clash with President Donald Trump, who recently blasted the pontiff on Truth Social as “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.”
The criticism followed Leo’s comments on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, where he called for a return to peace.
The back-and-forth escalated for several days before Leo signaled he had no interest in a public spat, saying it is “not in my interest at all” to debate the president.
Leo has maintained his focus is on easing tensions and promoting reconciliation between nations, even as the rhetoric around him heats up.
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