Pope Leo: Violence Kills All Nigerians, Christians Most Affected

Pope Leo XIV has weighed in on the intensifying international scrutiny surrounding Nigeria’s severe security challenges, acknowledging the tragic scope of the violence while carefully framing the conflict as one that impacts citizens of all faiths. The Pontiff confirmed that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of the relentless attacks, but conceded that Christians are the most heavily affected by the ongoing crisis.

The Pope’s comments, recorded during an interview on Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, went viral on Friday via the Catholic News Agency. When directly asked whether Christians are safe in Nigeria amid persistent allegations of genocide, Pope Leo offered a nuanced response.

“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people,” the global Catholic head stated. He clarified the indiscriminate nature of the threat: “Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered.”

However, the Pontiff’s remarks acknowledged the disproportionate impact on the Christian community. He lamented the devastating loss of life, asserting, “Unfortunately, many Christians have died.” This statement lends weight to the concerns raised by various international and human rights bodies regarding the security of Christian populations, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

Pope Leo further moved beyond a singular religious interpretation of the conflict, suggesting that the violence is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including both religious extremism and deep-rooted economic and territorial issues. “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 added. This analysis aligns with expert opinions that link conflicts in Nigeria to issues like land use, climate change, and competition for dwindling resources, alongside the activities of extremist groups.

Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo XIV issued a clear call for more decisive action from the Nigerian government and its people. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration to ensure fundamental rights for all citizens, stating: “I think it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.” His plea underscores the international expectation that the Nigerian authorities must enhance security and guarantee religious liberties for every person in the multi-faith nation.