The head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV, has named Nigeria among countries where Christians face frequent attacks, alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan
On Sunday, the pontiff took to his official X account to express concern over recurring attacks on Christian communities and places of worship across the globe, calling for prayers for peace and unity among all believers
“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. God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children!” he wrote.
He also called for prayers for the families of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where recent massacres have claimed civilian lives.
“Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good,” the pontiff added.
The statement comes amid international scrutiny of Nigeria following US President Donald Trump, on October 31, designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, warning that the Nigerian government must stop the killings or the United States would deploy troops “to wipe out the jihadists.”
The Federal Government has repeatedly denied claims of a systematic “Christian genocide”, describing such allegations as false, misleading, and a distortion of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Adding to the debate, US Congressman Riley Moore, on Sunday, faulted President Bola Tinubu’s claims that Nigeria does not encourage religious persecution, asserting that the reality on the ground contradicts the President’s public statements.
Christabel Ndoeche
