Pope Leo XIV drew a crowd of over 120,000 for an open-air Mass in Douala, Cameroon, marking the largest gathering of his current 11-day tour of Africa. The event took place at the Japoma Stadium, where jubilant attendees welcomed the pontiff. This significant turnout occurred on the fifth day of his visit to the continent.
Many worshippers arrived early, with some camping overnight on Thursday to secure advantageous viewing positions for the Friday Mass. People of all ages, including members of the clergy, endured warm temperatures to participate in the religious service. The Mass followed the Pope's arrival in Douala on Friday, where he reiterated calls for peace. This message came after his visit to Cameroon's Anglophone region, which has experienced a decade of unrest. During his address, Pope Leo XIV also cautioned against the potential negative impacts of artificial intelligence, suggesting it could contribute to increased societal division, conflict, fear, and violence.
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