Pope Leo urges Africans to stay and 'serve your country' instead of migrating as displacement climbs

Pope Leo XIV past Friday urged African younker to activity toward improving their ain countries alternatively than migrating elsewhere successful hunt of amended opportunities.

The leader of nan Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to assemblage students astatine nan Catholic University of Central Africa successful Yaoundé, nan superior of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic travel successful Africa. 

"In nan look of nan understandable inclination to migrate — which whitethorn lead 1 to judge that elsewhere a amended early whitethorn beryllium much easy recovered — I induce you, first and foremost, to respond pinch an ardent desire to service your state and to use nan knowledge you are acquiring present to nan use of your chap citizens," Leo said. 

While displacement successful Africa has steadily accrued successful caller years amid economical and governmental challenges, Leo said each country’s rising generations should beryllium "committed to society," bespeak their nations’ needs, and face systemic issues astatine home.

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Pope Leo XIV speaks arsenic he meets pinch nan organization of Bamenda astatine Saint Joseph's Cathedral successful Bamenda, connected nan 4th time of an 11-day apostolic travel to Africa, connected April 16, 2026. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)

"Africa, indeed, must beryllium freed from nan scourge of corruption. For young people, this consciousness must return guidelines from their years of formation," he said.

"These are nan witnesses of contented and justice, of which nan African continent needs," he added.

He added that done acquisition and belief formation, "you study to go builders of nan early of your respective countries and of a world that is much conscionable and humane."

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Pope Leo XIV delivers a reside during his sojourn to nan Central African Catholic University arsenic portion of his Africa tour, connected April 17, 2026, successful Yaounde, Cameroon. (Ahmet Emin Donmez/Anadolu)

According to nan World Migration Report, astir of Africa’s displacement occurs internally wrong nan continent, pinch 21 cardinal Africans recorded arsenic surviving successful different African state successful 2020.

Overseas African migration has besides steadily increased, pinch figures much than doubling betwixt 1990 and 2020.

In 2020, astir 11 cardinal Africans had reportedly migrated to Europe, 5 cardinal to Asia, and 3 cardinal to Northern America.

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Pope Leo XIV visits nan Central African Catholic University arsenic portion of his Africa tour, connected April 17, 2026, successful Yaounde, Cameroon. (Ahmet Emin Donmez/Anadolu)

The causes of displacement are mostly attributed to governmental conflict, corruption, violence, and economical hardship, including wide poverty. 

These factors are peculiarly pronounced successful countries specified arsenic Somalia, 1 of Africa’s largest sources of refugees, Nigeria, riddled pinch earthy disasters and economical pressures, and Sudan's surrounding areas, wherever civilian war, governmental instability, and nutrient insecurity person driven large-scale displacement.

The Pope’s remarks travel conscionable days aft President Donald Trump criticized Leo connected Truth Social, calling him "weak connected crime, and unspeakable for overseas policy." 

The backlash followed nan pontiff’s criticism of nan U.S.-Israeli warfare successful Iran and his entreaty for a return to peace.

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Tensions betwixt nan 2 unfolded complete respective days earlier nan Pope said past Saturday that it was "not successful my liking at all" to statement nan president.

Leo has insisted that his position is focused connected bridging divides among nations and promoting bid and reconciliation.