Pope Leo XIV portrait.webp
The Digest:

Pope Leo XIV has explicitly identified Nigeria as one of several countries where Christians endure systematic discrimination and persecution. According to TheCable, the pontiff's declaration via social media highlighted ongoing violence against religious communities and called for global prayer amid escalating tensions in conflict regions.

Key Points:
  • Pope Leo XIV named Nigeria among the countries where Christians face persecution.
  • He specifically referenced attacks on communities and places of worship.
  • The statement mentioned Bangladesh, Mozambique, Sudan, alongside Nigeria.
  • The pontiff called for prayers for victims in DR Congo's Kivu region.
  • The Aid to the Church in Need report previously listed Nigeria among 24 nations violating religious freedom.
  • Vatican officials noted Muslims also face violence from extremist groups.
  • The US has redesignated Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern."
In this painful acknowledgment from the highest spiritual authority, we see how faith has become another frontier in the storm of conflict—where the heavenly virtue of peace feels increasingly distant from earthly reality.

Sources: The Cable