Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City, has identified Nigeria among several nations where Christians face persistent attacks.
Other nations listed in this category are Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Sunday, the pontiff voiced concern over the recurring assaults on Christian communities and places of worship worldwide. He urged prayers for peace and unity among believers, stressing that discrimination and persecution remain widespread.
“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,” the Pope wrote.
The pontiff also extended prayers to families in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where recent massacres have claimed civilian lives. He appealed for an end to violence and encouraged believers to work together for the common good.
The remarks come at a time of heightened international scrutiny of Nigeria. On October 31, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, warning that Washington could deploy troops to “wipe out the jihadists” if the Nigerian government failed to halt the killings.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has consistently rejected such claims, dismissing allegations of a systematic Christian genocide as misleading and a misrepresentation of the country’s broader security challenges.
Adding to the controversy, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore on Sunday criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria does not promote religious persecution, arguing that conditions on the ground contradict the President’s public stance.
