Pope Expresses Concern Over Christian Persecution in Nigeria, Echoing US Stance
ABUJA, Nigeria – In a significant international statement, Roman Catholic leader Pope Leo XIV has listed Nigeria among several nations where Christians face discrimination and persecution, amplifying long-standing concerns from human rights groups and foreign governments.
The Pope made the declaration in a post on his official X account, highlighting “continued attacks on Christian communities and churches” in the affected countries. The list also includes Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan.
Calling for spiritual solidarity, the pontiff “urged prayers for peace and unity” in these regions. His message also extended to the families in Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following recent massacres that claimed the lives of many civilians.
The Vatican’s position aligns with the stance of the United States under the previous administration. The article notes that the Pope’s remarks “echo concerns from US President Donald Trump, who re-designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ over religious persecution.” This designation by the U.S. State Department is reserved for the world’s most severe violators of religious freedoms.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected such characterizations. Officials in Abuja have insisted that the country is a secular state and that its policies do not target any specific faith. The government often attributes the violence, particularly in the north-central and northeastern regions, to broader issues of banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and insurgency, rather than systematic religious persecution.
However, the Pope’s statement places renewed international spotlight on Nigeria’s internal security challenges and adds considerable weight to the argument that religious identity is a key driver of the violence affecting millions.
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