« How Not to Praise You »: The Incredible Story of a Cameroonian Priest's Song Sung Before the Pope

The song « Comment ne pas te louer » was composed in 2009 by Cameroonian priest Aurélien Bollevis Saniko Teponnou after recovering from a serious illness. Its simple, repetitive structure helped it spread quickly through churches and religious gatherings, becoming more famous than its creator. During an event at the Stade de France, tens of thousands of young people sang the chorus, which was also sung on the Champs-Élysées, demonstrating its growing popularity. The song has become a religious symbol in the Francophone world, surpassing its author’s fame.