By Ben T. C. Brooks
The Roman pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has urged African youth to not migrate elsewhere in search of better opportunities, but rather to work towards serving their own countries.
While speaking to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa, the Pople called on Africans to become builders of the future.
“In the face of the understandable tendency to migrate — which may lead one to believe that elsewhere a better future may be more easily found — I invite you, first and foremost, to respond with an ardent desire to serve your country and to apply the knowledge you are acquiring here to the benefit of your fellow citizens,” Pope Leo said.
With a sharp increase in migration from Africa to Europe due to long years of socioeconomic and political hurdles, Pope Leo said the rising generations in each African country should be “committed to society,” reflect their nations’ needs and confront systemic issues at home.
“Africa, indeed, must be freed from the scourge of corruption. For young people, this awareness must take root from their years of formation. These are the witnesses of wisdom and justice, of which the African continent needs. You learn to become builders of the future of your respective countries and of a world that is more just and humane.”
