Pope Leo XIV speaks on Nigeria insecurity, says crisis not only targeting Christians

Pope Leo XIV speaks on Nigeria insecurity, says crisis not only targeting Christians

Pope Leo XIV has raised alarm over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, saying both Christians and Muslims “have been slaughtered” amid escalating terrorist attacks, economic hardship and land-related conflicts.

The Pope’s remarks, delivered in a video interview recorded Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and circulated online Friday, were reported by the Catholic News Agency. Responding to a question on whether Christians face genocide in Nigeria, he said there is “certainly a danger” in some regions — not only for Christians but for all citizens.

“There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, and control of the lands that they have,” he explained.

Calling for decisive action, the Pope urged Nigerian authorities to work with all communities to promote authentic religious freedom, noting that “many Christians have died.”

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His comments come weeks after a controversy sparked by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who argued that Nigeria’s unrest is “not a religious conflict” but a social conflict between herders and farmers — a statement that drew criticism from groups accusing him of siding with the Nigerian government.

Parolin also emphasized that extremist attacks harm Muslims as well. “Many Muslims… are victims of this intolerance… groups that make no distinctions to advance their goals,” he said.

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV again mentioned Nigeria while condemning global attacks on Christian communities, writing on X: “In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution… I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan…”

His remarks land amid renewed debate in the United States, where President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of Christian genocide — claims the Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected.

The controversy deepened during a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, where lawmakers, religious leaders and expert witnesses presented sharply divided views on the redesignation.

Pope Leo XIV Speaks on Nigeria Insecurity, Says Crisis Not Only Targeting Christians