“Pope Leo XIV Names Nigeria Among Countries Where Christians Face Persecution”
Pope Leo XIV has listed Nigeria among countries where Christians reportedly face growing persecution, grouping the nation alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique, Sudan and others experiencing similar challenges.
The Catholic pontiff made the remark on Sunday, November 16, via his official X account, expressing deep concern over continuous attacks targeting Christian communities, churches and places of worship in various parts of the world. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to him, the rising wave of violence demands urgent global attention and intercessory prayers. He appealed to the international community to stand in solidarity with victims of religious hostility, while calling for peace and unity among all believers.
“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.
Pope Leo XIV also extended prayers to families in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where recent massacres resulted in significant civilian casualties. He emphasized the need for compassion, humanitarian aid and sustained intervention to protect vulnerable religious groups.
His comments follow earlier concerns expressed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged religious persecution. The CPC designation is typically assigned to nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.
However, the Nigerian federal government has repeatedly dismissed such classifications, insisting that Nigeria remains a secular state committed to the safety of all religious groups. Authorities maintain that there is no state-sponsored persecution or targeted attacks against any particular faith.
Pope Leo’s remarks have triggered fresh conversations on global religious freedom, with many urging governments and international bodies to intensify efforts aimed at protecting worshippers and preserving fundamental human rights.
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