Pope Leo XIV calls on leaders to invest in youth for building lasting peace

Amidst almost a week-long spat with the White House, Pope Leo XIV has issued fresh messages for peace and called for leaders to invest in young people, to combat the scourges of society, and build lasting peace. During his recent visit to Cameroon, the pope urged authorities to invest in the education and training of the youth. This comes hours after the pope spoke with reporters and indirectly responded to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's criticism of him.

The ongoing squabble between Pope Leo and the Trump administration over the war in Iran has taken several twists, with President Donald Trump calling the pope "weak on crime" and Vice President JD Vance urging him to stick to "matters of morality". In response to the comments, Pope Leo shared a message of peace and healing on Wednesday, following which he continued his tour in Africa. The pope met with authorities in Cameroon, where he urged them to invest in the youth, describing them as the country's greatest asset and a key to its future. 

The American Pontiff also took to X to spread the message, writing, "Young people represent the hope of a country and the Church. Investing in education, training, and entrepreneurship for young people is a strategic choice for peace." The pope added that it was the only way to combat the scourges of drugs, prostitution, and apathy, and save young lives. In his meeting, Pope Leo explained that the young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church, and they are "priceless treasures".  “Of course, when unemployment and social exclusion persist, frustration can lead to violence," he added, according to americanmagazine.org. Further speaking at the event, Leo delivered a speech before President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon since 1982.  “In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption – which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility – must be broken,” he said. 

The pope's message comes after Vance, a Catholic,  on Tuesday claimed that the pontiff was not being truthful in matters of theology, and failed to understand the concept of war. “How can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?” the vice-president said during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia. He then questioned if God was on the side of "Americans who liberated Holocaust camps?" and urged the pope to be very careful while talking about matters of theology. 

The next day, the pope spoke with reporters on board the papal plane heading for Cameroon, where he did not address Vance's comments or the social media insults of Trump. However, his posts on X made it clear that the war and concern for peace were still on his mind. "Let us reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice—an unarmed peace, not based on fear, threats or weapons,' in a post. In another post, he added that peace was everyone's responsibility, starting with civil authorities.