Pope Leo XIV Identifies Nigeria Among Countries Experiencing Christian Persecution
Pope Leo XIV calls for peace, unity, and the protection of civilians while denouncing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other places.
Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Sudan, and other nations are among the hotspots where Christians continue to confront murderous attacks and the demolition of their houses of worship. Pope Leo XIV has denounced the growing violence and discrimination that Christian communities face in these countries.
The Pope urged for fresh international efforts to protect religious minorities in a statement posted on X on Sunday, saying the pattern of persecution is still extremely concerning.
Additionally, he conveyed his solidarity with the families in Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a new wave of violence recently killed scores of civilians. “God is a loving parent who wants harmony among all of His children! I join the families of Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a slaughter of people has occurred in recent days, in prayer,” he stated.
The Pope called for an urgent halt to violence and asked religious communities everywhere to cooperate for peace and the benefit of all. He went on to say, “Let us pray that all violence may end and that believers may cooperate for the common good.”
His comments coincide with growing worries about attacks by extremists, intercommunal conflicts, and increased insecurity that threaten religious communities in Asia and Africa.
