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| Pope Leo XIV |
Pope Leo XIV has identified Nigeria among nations where Christians face ongoing discrimination and persecution.
In a message posted on X this Sunday from his official account, the pope emphasized the urgent need for peace, describing it as a divine virtue essential for humanity.
“In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution. I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship,” he wrote.
“God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children! I accompany in prayer the families of Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where in recent days there has been a massacre of civilians.
“Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good.”
Leo’s remarks come amid ongoing reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Last month, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Pontifical foundation, released a report that identified Nigeria as one of 24 countries worldwide where religious freedom is “seriously violated.”
“The nature of persecution varies across different contexts. In eight countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen, it results from a combination of authoritarian governance and religious extremism,” the report stated.
However, during the report’s presentation in Rome, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin downplayed the commonly held view that religion is the main driver of insecurity in Nigeria.
“We should also recognise that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance,” Parolin said.
“These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”
His remarks have sparked outrage among Catholic clergy.
Following these developments, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC).
The Nigerian federal government, however, rejected this designation, affirming that Nigeria remains a secular nation.
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