Pope Leo XIV has officially named Nigeria among several countries where Christians reportedly face persecution and discrimination, placing it alongside nations such as Bangladesh, Mozambique, Sudan, and others that have been experiencing recurrent attacks on Christian communities and places of worship.
The pontiff made the statement on Sunday, November 16, through his verified X account, highlighting the growing concern over targeted violence against Christians worldwide. Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for global awareness, stressing that these attacks are not isolated incidents but form part of a troubling pattern that demands attention from the international community.
Pope Leo XIV urges prayers and international support
In his statement, Pope Leo XIV called on global leaders, religious organizations, and believers to pray for peace, protection, and unity among Christians facing persecution. He highlighted the challenges in countries such as Nigeria, Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan, emphasizing that families, communities, and places of worship continue to be under threat.
“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, appealing for empathy and solidarity across borders.
The pontiff also drew attention to the ongoing violence in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where recent massacres claimed the lives of multiple civilians. He urged the global Christian community to pray for the victims and survivors, stressing the importance of support and advocacy for the protection of religious minorities in volatile regions.
Alignment with U.S. religious concern
Pope Leo XIV’s remarks come amid previous classifications by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged religious persecution. The CPC designation is typically applied to countries where systematic violations of religious freedom occur, drawing international attention to their domestic policies and the treatment of minority faiths.
However, the Nigerian federal government has consistently rejected such classifications, emphasizing that the country remains secular and that it does not condone genocide, persecution, or discrimination against any religious group. Officials maintain that Nigeria’s legal framework and constitution protect the rights of all citizens regardless of faith, and they call on global actors to verify claims before issuing international labels that may misrepresent the nation’s reality.
Pope Leo XIV’s call for prayers, unity, and international vigilance reinforces the urgency of addressing religious persecution worldwide, urging governments, institutions, and individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard human dignity, religious freedom, and community safety.
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