Pope Leo Names Nigeria Among Countries Witnessing Christian Persecution

The head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV, has listed Nigeria among countries where Christians frequently face attacks, alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan.

On Sunday, the pontiff used his official X account to express concern over recurring assaults on Christian communities and places of worship worldwide, 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.

The Pope also asked for prayers for the families in Kivu, 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,” he added.

The statement comes amid growing international attention on Nigeria after US President Donald Trump, on October 31, designated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged attacks on Christians, warning that the Nigerian government must act to stop the killings or face possible US military intervention against jihadist groups.

The Federal Government has repeatedly rejected claims of a systematic “Christian genocide,” describing them as false, misleading, and a misrepresentation of the country’s security challenges. Adding to the debate, US Congressman Riley Moore criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria does not promote religious persecution, claiming that conditions on the ground contradict the President’s public statements.