Pope Leo XIV Highlights Nigeria Among Countries Facing Attacks on Christians

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City, has identified Nigeria as one of several countries where Christians frequently face attacks, alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan.

On Sunday, the pontiff took to his official X account to express concern over repeated assaults on Christian communities and places of worship worldwide, urging prayers for peace and unity among all believers.

“In various parts of the world, Christians endure discrimination and persecution, particularly in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other nations where attacks on communities and places of worship are common. May God, a merciful Father, grant peace to all His children,” he wrote.

The Pope also called for prayers for the families in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, following recent massacres that claimed civilian lives. “Let us pray that all violence may end and that believers work together for the common good,” he added.

His statement comes amid growing international attention on Nigeria after US President Donald Trump, on October 31, labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, warning that failure to halt the killings could prompt US military action against jihadists.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of a systematic “Christian genocide,” describing such allegations as misleading and misrepresentative of the country’s security challenges. Adding to the discussion, US Congressman Riley Moore criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria does not promote religious persecution, stating that conditions on the ground contradict the President’s claims.