Visionary Reports

The city of Douala is stepping up preparations as it anticipates the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, with church leaders and administrative authorities organizing to ensure a warm, coordinated welcome.Pope Leo XIV will be in Douala on the on April 17 . The visits that start 9 am upon his arrival will last till 5: 30pm when he returns to Yaoundé. While in Douala the pope will have a mass at the Japoma stadium esplanade, visit the saint Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala and the Catholic University of Central Africa. With the above itinerary all measures are in place to ensure a hitch free sojourn. According to the chancellor of the Douala Archdiocese Rev. Father Eboa Serge, the planning is being structured across multiple zones and parish groupings bringing together communities under representatives assigned to each area. He said this approach is designed to provide clear leadership on the ground and to strengthen communication during the visit.He disclosed that the preparations will include both spiritual and logistical elements. Spiritual activities are expected to begin well in advance, with the faithful encouraged to prepare through prayer, coordinated across parishes throughout the archdiocese.He added that mobilization is well organized especially as large numbers of residents are expected at the Japoma stadium for the mass.He called on Catholic faithfuls to take part and turn out during the mass he said the visit is deep spiritual engagement for the entire Church.On the administrative front, measures are in place to cover security , health, logistics and other aspects. According to the governor of the Littoral region Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, the region has been stepping up preparations since the announcement of the Pope’s arrival. He said the visit Involves the entire Littoral region and even neighbouring regions. He disclosed that about 2 million people are expected at the mass at the Japoma stadium.

The stands are currently under construction and are already covered with roofs , he stated . Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua explained that they will continue making on-site evaluation visits to see how the work is progressing. He remained optimistic that before the last week prior to his arrival, “we would have finished filling the potholes along the routes the Pope will take, from the airport to Japoma, and from Japoma to the saint Paul Catholic Hospital, on the Saint-Michel Roundabout side (Carrefour Saint-Michel), then back to the airport. So these routes have been clearly targeted and work is well underway. Road works are very advanced” he said.As Douala finalizes its plans, preparing to receive Pope Leo XIV with unity, organization, and prayerful anticipation. Authorities say the goal is for the visit to be hitch free .

By Gina ESONG