He also expressed concern over the growing number of crises affecting societies worldwide, particularly in Africa, including war, inequality, forced migration, extremism, and social fragmentation.
“Unfortunately, armed conflicts persist on the African continent, causing serious humanitarian crises and deep-seated inequalities that afflict entire populations on a daily basis, not to mention the worrying rise of violent extremism,” Pope Leo XIV lamented.
He went on to warn against the spread of hate speech and the weakening of moral and family structures, especially among young people.
“Added to this are growing flows of migrants and refugees, hate speech that poisons the social fabric, the weakening of family ties, and the erosion of ethical and spiritual values, particularly among the young,” the Holy Father said.
Reaffirming the equal dignity of every person, he called on Christians and Muslims to defend human rights and reject all forms of persecution and exploitation carried out in the name of religion.
“As Christians and Muslims, we all believe that every human being is fashioned by the hands of God and thus endowed with a dignity that no law or human power has the right to take away,” the Holy Father said.
He continued, “It is on this foundation of brotherhood, rooted in the origins of humanity and in faith, that we jointly assume our shared responsibility: to condemn all forms of discrimination and persecution based on race, religion or origin; to reject any exploitation of God’s name for military, economic or political ends; to raise our voices in support of every minority that suffers.”
Recalling his message during the April 16 peace meeting at St. Joseph’s Cathedral of Bamenda Archdiocese during his April 15-18 Apostolic journey to Cameroon, the Holy Father warned against manipulating religion for personal interests.
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own … gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” he cautioned.
The Holy Father encouraged continued dialogue and cooperation among faith communities as essential paths toward reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.