Leo XIV spoke at the Japoma Stadium in Cameroon's economic capital, before a crowd of 120,000. He urged young people to "Reject every form of abuse or violence”, calling on them to be the first to bring "the bread of life” to others. Sharing is the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Proclaiming Jesus means "leaving signs of justice in a suffering and oppressed land.”

68.7% of voters rejected the constitutional reform sought by the president to unify electoral processes, but the ruling party – which came to power in 2023 on an anti-India campaign – failed to win a single city in the local elections. Civil society played a decisive role in the ‘no’ campaign. The result highlights urban discontent and raises questions about the political stability of the executive halfway through its term.

The initiative was launched in Washington with the support of UNCTAD, whilst the global problem continues to grow, with as many as 54 countries spending more on debt interest payments than on healthcare and education for their citizens. Caritas Internationalis: “An important step towards giving a voice to those in difficulty due to an unjust system. Now, however, transparency and rules are essential.”

Sentences for ‘incitement to racial hatred’ have been handed down to 19 activists from the Atažurt movement, which campaigns on behalf of relatives detained alongside Uyghurs in Xinjiang’s ‘re-education camps’. Initially charged with violating protest regulations, the offence was upgraded following a note from the Chinese consulate in Almaty describing the actions as “open provocation”.

Today’s headlines: Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel comes into effect; Robots allow Hong Kong fire survivors return home for first time in four months to retrieve personal belongings; Indian Supreme Court has ordered an additional voter list for the elections to be held next week in West Bengal.

The pope visited today Cameroon’s English-speaking region in the western of the country, scene of a forgotten war that has caused thousands of deaths, destruction, and more than a million refugees in this part of Africa. During his peace meeting with the local community, the pontiff encouraged those working for reconciliation, contrasting their action with what the masters of war do, to “look into each other’s eyes: we are this immense people!”