The Boeing 777-200 carrying the Pope and his delegation pieced through the skies of Yaoundé and touched down at the Nsimalen International Airport at exactly 3:40pm local time. Minutes later, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Eliseo Antonio Arioti and the Head of State Protocol walked into the plane after it came to a halt.

The Holy Father was invited into the soils of Cameroon as President Paul Biya and wife, including top government executives and religious leaders waited at the foot of the plane.

Joseph Alois Ratzinger now Pope Benedict XVI, dressed in his white papal garment, majestically walked out of the plane, amidst shouts and welcome songs from the thousands that had journeyed to the Nsimalen International Airport, some 13 kilometres from the City, Yaounde.

At the end if the national anthems of the Vatican and Cameroon, Pope Benedict saluted all members of the constituted corps.

It was then time for speeches. President Paul Biya said it was a privilege and honour for the people of Cameroon to have His Holiness Pope Benedict on Cameroonian soil, on his first visit to the continent.

After reiterating the importance of the visit, President Paul Biya described Cameroon as a land of diversity.

He was thankful that, in spite of this diversity, Cameroonians have opted for tolerance and mutual respect.

The people of this country, the President said, prefer negotiation rather than confrontation.

He indicated that, in the past 20 years, the country has been making great strides in democracy and social peace.

In spite of obstacles, some achievements have been recorded and, the county is still heading on.

Peace is the solid rock on which the country stands, the Cameroon’s Chief Executive emphasized ; the resolution of the Bakassi crisis is a clear illustration.

President Paul Biya concluded his 8 minute speech by assuring the Supreme Pontiff that Cameroon and Africa appreciate his concern for the church in continent. “Your presence brings us hope and your word would be a source of reconciliation and comfort”.

In his responds, the Vicar of Christ expressed gratitude for the warm welcome. He thanked all religious leaders, administrative authorities and diplomats present at the airport to welcome him.

He declared, “I am here as a Pastor”. He said Africa has an important place in the history of the church.

Pope Benedict XVI sited some ills in the African continent specifically racial conflicts, human trafficking, poverty, climate change and the AIDS pandemic as reason to pray.

The man of God not only praised Cameroon for being a land of peace but was thankful that the country accommodates some 300 thousand, refugees from neighbouring countries. Pamela Bidjocka, Editor