Pope Leo XIV highlights the Nigeria Violence Crisis, warning that Christians and Muslims face rising attacks linked to extremism and land conflicts
According to Pope Leo XIV, who spoke in a video that circulated widely on Friday, the Nigeria Violence Crisis is claiming the lives of both Christians and Muslims, with extremist groups, economic pressures and land disputes fuelling the escalation.
Also read: Lagos secures N244.8bn bond to boost infrastructure development
The remarks were recorded during an interview on Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and later published by the Catholic News Agency.
The Pope was asked whether Christians remain safe amid allegations of genocide. He responded that danger affects all communities, stressing that “Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered”.
He added that the current wave of attacks stems from overlapping drivers, including terrorism and fierce competition over land control, a combination analysts describe as deeply destabilising.
Pope Leo XIV called on the Nigerian government to take firmer and more transparent action, urging authorities to work with all communities to defend genuine religious freedom.
He noted that too many Christian families have already suffered irreversible loss, and he pressed for policies capable of restoring trust in the state’s ability to protect its people.
His comments come after earlier controversy involving Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, who recently stated that Nigeria’s unrest reflects a social conflict between herders and farmers rather than a religious confrontation.
Those remarks drew criticism from advocacy groups who accused him of echoing official narratives from Abuja.
Parolin later clarified that extremist groups also target Muslims, making no distinction when pursuing their violent aims.
The Pope’s latest message follows a broader reflection on global persecution. In a post on X, he noted that Christian communities in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Sudan face ongoing discrimination and attacks.
He emphasised that God desires peace among all His children, a sentiment that resonated strongly with observers monitoring the Nigeria Violence Crisis.
International scrutiny has intensified further after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian genocide, a claim the Nigerian government firmly rejects.
Also read: Lagos secures N244.8bn bond to boost infrastructure development
A hearing before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa last week revealed sharply divided views among lawmakers, religious leaders and policy experts, underscoring the powerful and polarising nature of the crisis.
