In his first visit to Africa, Pope Leo’s words resonated far beyond the moment. They served as both a diagnosis and a challenge, a reminder that the causes of conflict are deeply embedded, but not beyond human capacity to change. As he insisted, peace must be lived: we have the responsibility to build a more just, fraternal, and compassionate future.

From Cameroon, the Pope’s clear message against war

As Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon to scenes of celebration, his message quickly moved beyond symbolism to a stark warning: “Peace must not be reduced to a slogan.” Beneath the festive, he pointed to deeper realities, the structural and human causes of conflict that continue to destabilise societies and provoke forced displacement.

“Behind the numbers are the faces, stories and shattered hopes of real people,” he said, urging leaders to recognise that violence is not abstract but deeply personal. War, displacement, and insecurity leave lasting scars on individuals and communities, especially where suffering is ignored or minimised. This recognition calls for accompaniment: a way of being with others that places presence, relationship, and listening at the centre, and allows the experience of those affected to shape both understanding and action.

During his visit to Africa, Pope Leo highlighted youth and social justice as keys to peace

In many regions, lack of education, unemployment, and exclusion from decision-making create frustration and vulnerability. Yet he also pointed to their potential, noting a widespread “hunger and thirst for justice… for courageous choices and for peace.” Without meaningful opportunities, however, that desire can be lost to despair or exploited by violent movements. A crucial response to division is investment in young people. “Investing in the education, training and entrepreneurship of young people is… a strategic choice for peace,” he said, linking opportunity directly to stability. This also implies recognising young people not merely as beneficiaries, but as key actors in building a more just and peaceful future.

Economic inequality and exclusion further deepen tensions. Pope Leo criticised systems that fail to include those most affected, warning against initiatives carried out “for the poor” without their participation. Such approaches, he suggested, risk reinforcing inequality rather than addressing it, leaving underlying grievances unresolved.

The misuse of power and disregard for human rights also contribute to cycles of violence. While acknowledging the importance of security, the Pope insists it must be grounded in respect for dignity: “Security is a priority, but it must always be exercised with respect for human rights.” Without this balance, enforcement can become oppression, further aggravating tensions.

Pope Leo presents dialogue as an essential element of peace

Another fundamental issue is the breakdown of dialogue. In divided societies, the absence of communication fuels misunderstanding and hostility. Pope Leo presents dialogue as essential to peace, describing himself as “a shepherd and a servant of dialogue, fraternity and peace.” For him, lasting peace depends on listening, not only to allies, but especially to those who feel excluded or unheard.

A message of hope and peace from the Pope’s apostolic journey in Africa

He calls for a vision of peace that is active, transformative, and based on inclusion. “Authentic peace arises when everyone feels protected, heard and respected,” underscoring that stability cannot exist where people feel ignored or marginalised. In this context, he gives special recognition to women, calling them “tireless peacemakers” whose contributions must be fully acknowledged in decision-making processes.

Ultimately, the Pope’s message returns to a simple but urgent plea: “The world is thirsting for peace… Enough of war.” But this call, he made clear, demands action. Peace cannot be achieved through words alone; it requires confronting injustice, ending exclusion, and building systems rooted in dignity and participation. It also calls for a deeper commitment to accompaniment and reconciliation, walking with those who suffer, restoring broken relationships, and discerning together paths toward a more just and humane future.

For organisations such as the Jesuit Refugee Service, accompaniment is central: to be with others while serving them, and to support processes of reconciliation rooted in the lived reality of those forced to flee.