Pope Leo on Thursday criticised foreigners who exploit the wealth of the African continent, saying they were contributing to widespread poverty and underdevelopment.

"The time has come, today and not tomorrow, now and not in the future, to restore the mosaic of unity by bringing together the diversity and riches of the country and the continent," Leo said in a speech in Cameroon as part of his four-country Africa tour.

On his third day in Cameroon, the pope celebrated Mass at Japoma Stadium, one of the country's newest and largest stadiums, which can accommodate approximately 50,000 people.

He also met with academics and scholars at the Catholic University of Central Africa.