The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, and key opposition figures have paid tribute to the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday.
Pope Francis, aged 88, celebrated Easter Sunday before dying the following day. The Vatican has confirmed that he died of a stroke.
Reactions have been pouring in from leaders around the world. In Cameroon, both the sitting president and presidential hopefuls have expressed their sorrow.
“I learnt with deep sadness the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, which occurred this April 21, 2025,” said Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya. “The Catholic Church has just lost one of its most fervent servants, and the world, a committed supporter of peace and progress.”
In a condolence letter addressed to the Dean of Cardinals in Rome, President Biya recalled his warm encounters with the Pope during official visits to the Vatican in October 2013 and March 2017—just months after Francis was elected Pope on March 13, 2013.
“In this painful circumstance, I would like to extend to you, as well as to the Roman Catholic Church and the family of Pope Francis, the sincere condolences of the entire Cameroonian people, to which I associate the expression of my deep compassion, as well as that of my wife,” he stated.
Biya has witnessed the passing of several Popes during his time in office, including the 266th Pontiff, Pope Francis.
Man of Peace
Presidential hopeful Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, also expressed his condolences.
Kamto said he received the news of Pope Francis’ death with profound sadness.
“A man of faith, peace and justice, he has left his mark on our time through his humility and his commitment to the weakest. My thoughts are with the great Catholic family of Cameroon and the whole world. May his soul rest in peace,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Another presidential candidate, Cabral Libii, held a special prayer in honour of the late pope.
Beyond his role as a spiritual leader, Pope Francis was also the head of state of Vatican City.
According to the Vatican, his burial is scheduled for Saturday.
