Pope Leo XVI has condemned the June 14 massacre of over 200 IDPs in Benue's Yelewata community during his Sunday Angelus address, calling it a "terrible massacre" of Christians seeking refuge at a Catholic mission. While the pontiff prayed for "security, justice, and peace," Nigerians noted President Tinubu's continued silence 48 hours after the attack, sparking nationwide outrage about leadership failure.
• Victims were predominantly IDPs sheltering at church facilities
• Pope's intervention highlights global attention on Nigeria's security crisis
• Growing social media fury over presidential silence
Why does papal condemnation matter? When local shepherds fail their flock, the Vatican's voice becomes both moral megaphone and diplomatic alarm bell. The Pope's words implicitly question Nigeria's social contract: if citizens can't expect protection from their government or their religious leaders, where does sovereignty truly reside? This attack crosses red lines - targeting not just farmers but sanctuary-seekers in holy spaces.
Sources:
Vatican News, NEMA reports, Twitter/X analytics
