Mokate Ashu

15/04/2026

PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEE
EMBARGO
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CAMEROON – Yaoundé – 15.04.2026 – 17:05

Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps
Presidential Palace

Address of the Holy Father
Original text

Mr. President,
Distinguished Authorities and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

I sincerely thank you for the warm welcome extended to me and for the words of greeting addressed to me. It is a profound joy for me to be in Cameroon, often described as “Africa in miniature” because of the richness of its territories, cultures, languages and traditions. This diversity is not a weakness, but a treasure. It is a promise of fraternity and a solid foundation for building lasting peace.

I come among you as a pastor and a servant of dialogue, fraternity and peace. My visit expresses the affection of the Successor of Peter for all Cameroonians, as well as the desire to encourage everyone to continue, with enthusiasm and perseverance, the building of the common good. We are living in a time when resignation is spreading and a sense of powerlessness tends to paralyze the renewal that peoples deeply feel. How much hunger and thirst for justice! How much thirst for participation, for visions, for courageous choices and for peace! My great desire is to touch the heart of each person, especially that of the young, who are called to shape, also on the political level, a more just world. I also wish to express my will to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the Holy See and the Republic of Cameroon, based on mutual respect, on the dignity of every human person and on religious freedom.

Cameroon remembers the visits of my Predecessors: that of Saint John Paul II, messenger of hope for all the peoples of Africa; and that of Benedict XVI, who emphasized the importance of reconciliation, justice and peace, as well as the moral responsibility of those in government. I know that these moments have marked your national history, like demanding exhortations to a spirit of service, unity and justice. We can therefore ask ourselves: where do we stand? How has the Word that was proclaimed to us borne fruit? And what remains to be done?
Sixteen hundred years ago, Saint Augustine wrote words that remain very relevant: “Those who command serve those whom they seem to command. They do not command out of a desire for domination, but out of the duty to provide for needs; not out of pride to impose themselves, but out of compassion to protect.” In this perspective, serving one’s country means dedicating oneself, with a clear mind and an upright conscience, to the common good of all the people: of the majority, of minorities, in their mutual harmony.
Today, like many other nations, your country is going through complex trials. The tensions and violence that have affected certain regions of the North-West, South-West and Far North have caused deep suffering: lives lost, families displaced, children deprived of school, young people who see no future. Behind the statistics, there are faces, stories, shattered hopes. Faced with such dramatic situations, at the beginning of this year I invited humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace a peace founded on love and justice. A disarmed peace, that is, not based on fear, threat or weapons; and a disarming peace, capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts and inspiring trust, empathy and hope.

Peace cannot be reduced to a slogan: it must take shape in a personal and institutional style that rejects all forms of violence. For this reason, I repeat forcefully: “The world thirsts for peace. […] Enough of wars, with their painful trail of deaths, destruction and exiles.” This cry is meant to be a call to the will to contribute to authentic peace, by placing it above all partisan interests.
Peace, in fact, is not decreed: it is welcomed and lived. It is a gift from God that develops through patient and collective work. It is the responsibility of all, first and foremost that of civil Authorities. To govern is to love one’s country, but also neighboring countries. The commandment “love your neighbor as yourself” also applies to international relations! To govern is to truly listen to citizens, to value their intelligence and their ability to contribute to the development of lasting solutions to problems. Pope Francis emphasized the need to overcome “this conception of social policies as a policy toward the poor, but never with the poor, never for the poor, and even less part of a project that unites peoples.”

In this change of approach, civil society must be considered a vital force for national cohesion. Cameroon too is ready for this transition! Associations, women’s and youth organizations, trade unions, humanitarian NGOs, traditional and religious leaders: all play an irreplaceable role in building social peace. They are the first to act when tensions arise; they accompany displaced persons, support victims, open spaces for dialogue and encourage local mediation. Their closeness to the field makes it possible to understand the root causes of conflicts and to envisage appropriate responses. Civil society also contributes to forming consciences, promoting a culture of dialogue and respect for differences. It is therefore within it that a future less exposed to uncertainty is being prepared. I wish to emphasize with gratitude the role of women. Unfortunately, they are often the first victims of prejudice and violence; yet they remain tireless artisans of peace. Their commitment in education, mediation and the rebuilding of the social fabric is unmatched and constitutes a brake on corruption and abuses of power. For this reason as well, their voice must be fully recognized in decision-making processes.

In the face of so much dedication within society, transparency in the management of public resources and respect for the rule of law are essential to restore trust. It is time to dare to undertake an examination of conscience and a courageous qualitative leap. May just and credible institutions become pillars of stability. Public authority is called to be a bridge, and never a factor of division, even where insecurity seems to prevail. Security is a priority, but it must always be exercised with respect for human rights, combining firmness and greatness of spirit, with particular attention to the most vulnerable. Authentic peace is born when everyone feels protected, heard and respected, when the law is a secure shield against the arbitrariness of the richest and the strongest.

Upon reflection, brothers and sisters, the high responsibilities you assume require a double witness. The first witness takes shape in the collaboration between the different organs and administrative levels of the State at the service of the people, and especially the poorest; the second witness is realized by uniting your institutional and professional responsibilities with a life of integrity. For peace and justice to prevail, it is necessary to break the chains of corruption that disfigure authority by stripping it of credibility. The heart must be freed from this thirst for gain which is idolatry. The true gain is integral human development, that is, the balanced growth of all aspects that make life on this earth a blessing.
Cameroon possesses the human, cultural and spiritual resources necessary to overcome trials and conflicts, and to move toward a future of stability and shared prosperity. The common commitment to dialogue, justice and integral development must transform the wounds of the past into sources of renewal. As I said, young people represent the hope of the country and of the Church. Their energy and creativity are invaluable resources. Of course, when unemployment and exclusion persist, frustration can give rise to violence. Investing in education, training and the entrepreneurial spirit of young people is therefore a strategic choice for peace. It is the only way to stem the hemorrhage of wonderful talents toward other regions of the world. It is also the only way to combat the scourges of drugs, prostitution and the torpor that devastate too many young lives, in an ever more dramatic way.

Thanks be to God, young Cameroonians have a deep spirituality that still resists the standardization of the market. It is an energy that makes their dreams precious, rooted in the prophecies that nourish their prayers and their hearts. Religious traditions, when they are not distorted by the poison of fundamentalism, inspire prophets of peace, justice, forgiveness and solidarity. By promoting interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in initiatives of mediation and reconciliation, politics and diplomacy can rely on moral forces capable of easing tensions, preventing radicalization and promoting a culture of mutual esteem and respect. The Catholic Church in Cameroon, through its educational, health and charitable works, wishes to continue to serve all citizens without distinction. It desires to collaborate loyally with civil authorities and with all the vital forces of the nation to promote human dignity and reconciliation. Where possible, it wishes to facilitate cooperation with other countries as well as links between Cameroonians around the world and their communities of origin.

May God bless Cameroon, support its leaders, inspire civil society, enlighten the work of the Diplomatic Corps and grant to all the Cameroonian people – Christians and non-Christians, political leaders and citizens – to welcome the Kingdom of God, by building together a future of justice and peace.
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PAPE LÉON XIV DEVANT LES AUTORITÉS ET SOCIETÉ C_260415_204533.pdf

08/10/2025

08/10/2025

Make sure you dont vote for another 7 years of suffering! If you do we will count 50years. Half a century.

16/09/2025

Let’s place critical thinking into the startup ecosystem and product development cycle context.

The Problem (in startups and product development)

In the startup ecosystem, everyone has ideas; founders, investors, mentors, and customers. But left unchecked, much of this thinking is biased (overconfidence in an idea), partial (focusing on only one side of the market), uninformed (ignoring data), or prejudiced (clinging to personal preferences over evidence). Poor thinking in startups leads to wasted resources, failed products, and broken teams.

Shoddy thinking can be very costly; a premature product launch, scaling too early, or ignoring customer pain points often results in lost investment and credibility. Excellence in thought must therefore be systematically cultivated within startup teams and across the product development lifecycle.

A Definition (for startups)

Critical thinking in the startup ecosystem is the art of analyzing and evaluating ideas, assumptions, and decisions with a view to improving them ensuring that the venture is based on real evidence, validated learning, and sound judgment rather than hype or personal bias.

The Result (in practice for startups)

A well-cultivated startup critical thinker:

Raises vital questions and problems clearly and precisely? e.g., “Is this a real customer pain point, or are we imagining it?”

Gathers and assesses relevant information effectively: customer interviews, market research, MVP testing, analytics.

Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions: pivoting, iterating, or scaling only when data supports it.

Thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought: comparing lean startup, design thinking, and agile methodologies; recognizing assumptions about users and markets.

Communicates effectively with others: ensuring founders, developers, marketers, and investors are aligned on evidence-based decisions.

Critical Thinking Across the Product Development Cycle

1. Ideation & Problem Definition

-Challenge assumptions (“Is this problem worth solving?”).
-Avoid ego-driven ideas; validate with real pain points.

2. Market Research & Validation

-Analyze customer feedback without bias.
-Distinguish between what customers say and what they do.

3. MVP & Prototyping

- Question the scope: build just enough to test, not everything.
- Test hypotheses systematically instead of rushing to features.

4. Testing & Iteration
- Use critical analysis of data — don’t cherry-pick metrics.
- Be open to pivoting when evidence disproves assumptions.

5. Scaling & Growth

- Evaluate scalability logically — is there evidence of repeatable traction?
- Resist “vanity scaling” that burns resources.

6. Sustainability & Impact

- Assess long-term consequences: customer trust, social/environmental impact, and ethical considerations.
- Ensure alignment between values, mission, and market opportunity.

In short: critical thinking in startups = the difference between building a product people want vs. building one people ignore.

16/09/2025

Quiet hustles, not social media noise, builds empires.

15/09/2025

Today, I had the privilege of sitting virtually with a group of bright Sierra Leonean youth who dream of becoming problem solvers and innovators.

As we talked, I didn’t just speak about design and entrepreneurship in the usual sense. Instead, I invited them to first look inward. I told them that true innovation begins with self-design, with aligning who we are and what we stand for to the purpose that drives us. Because when our work is anchored in purpose, the solutions we build don’t just solve problems for today, they live beyond us.

We also explored how design is not only about creating products or businesses, but also about shaping narratives. In a continent where stories have often been told about us rather than by us, design gives us the power to rewrite the script, to show that Africa is a land of disruptors, builders, and changemakers.

Walking away from that session, I was reminded of why at JONGO HUB we keep pushing with a relentless vision: to raise a new generation of African disruptors and changemakers who will build solutions that stand the test of time.

Banque mondiale Région Afrique Royalty World Jongo Studios United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Roland N. Fomundam John Etta SMCON

14/09/2025

Today, I had the opportunity to sit in on a Career Development and Employability Workshop with Royalty World in Bolifamba Mile 16.

While engaging with the youth present, I reminded them of the importance of leveraging technological skills in this digital age as a bridge to close employability gaps. At the same time, I emphasized that education and tech skills alone are not enough in today’s competitive generation.

Beyond competence, we need to build our inner character potential and strengthen our interpersonal and soft skills. It is character that lifts us above skills, and it is integrity, resilience, and empathy that sustain long-term success.

I also had the opportunity to share about our JONGO HUB Skill Reactor Programme, a career development pathway designed to equip young people with practical skills in Technology and Design. Through curated upskilling programmes, participants move from intensive bootcamps into code battles, code labs, hackathons, and workshops, while working on live projects that allow them to gain real work experience and industry exposure.

12/09/2025

1) Highly Indebted Poor Countries or
2) Rich, Exploited, Looted and Politically Manipulated Countries?

Which of these statements is true? How will perspectives change if narratives are changed? How will global approaches towards Subsaharan Africa shift if the narratives are redifined to fit the right perspectives.

Questioning the statusquo is an approach to system thinking. I can reset your organisation just through narrative redefinition.

09/09/2025

I support organizations secure funding, deliver impactful projects, and impress their donors by designing winning proposals, developing evidence-based programs, and writing reports that exceed expectations. With expertise in research, evaluation, and capacity building, I empower teams to manage projects effectively, maximize results, and sustain long-term impact. I expert in participatory planning and co-creation with communities and stakeholders. I am here to support your work.