Thousands celebrate open-air Mass with Pope Leo in Cameroon - in pictures

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Paul Njie,BBC Africa, Japoma Stadium, Doualaand

Hafsa Khalil

EPA A woman wearing sunglasses, a headwrap and a patterned dress in cream, green and orange, smiling and cheering. Behind her, are women wearing pink, some of whom are pointing and others are waving Cameroonian flags

More than 120,000 people have joined Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon for an open-air Mass, the biggest crowd so far during his 11-day Africa tour.

Arriving in the economic city of Douala on Friday, the Pope reiterated his message of peace after visiting the country's Anglophone region hit by a decade-long rebellion on Thursday.

Reuters Pope in his vehicle on the right, waving to crowds that are on the left of the picture

Jubliant crowds welcomed Pope Leo as he arrived at the Japoma Stadium.

Standing in his vehicle - known as the Popemobile - the pontiff waved at the droves of people waiting for his entrance.

Michel Mvondo/BBC Crowds with their back to the camera facing the popemobile. There are some umbrellas in the crowd to shade against the sun, most notably a red one on the left. Many people in the crowd have their phones up in the air to take photos or videos.

Some worshippers camped outside the premises on Thursday night in a bid to get a prime spot for the pontiff's address, with some having been there for more than 24 hours.

By Friday, tens of thousands of people of all ages, including several from the priesthood, braved the heat to participate in the occasion.

AFP via Getty Images Crowd of people with a pole in the centre with three men stood against it. the pole has a Vatican flag and a Cameroon flag attached. They all look to be listening

Pope Leo's message on Friday was focused on spiritual matters, and encouraging young people to diversify their talents and support their communities.

"Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive," the pontiff said.

"Do not let yourselves be corrupted by temptations that waste your energies and do not serve the progress of society," he added.

Some attendees told the BBC they were happy to have seen and listened to the Pope, echoing a growing desire for peace to return to the conflict-hit nation.