By Oso Abidemi
Pope Leo XIV has listed Nigeria among countries where Christians face recurring attacks on worshippers and places of worship, alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique and Sudan.
In a post on his official X handle on Sunday, the pontiff expressed concern over rising cases of discrimination and violence against Christian communities worldwide.
He urged prayers for peace, saying, “God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children.”
The Pope also called for prayers for families in Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, where recent massacres claimed several civilian lives.
His comments come amid renewed global scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation.
On October 31, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, a claim the Federal Government has rejected as misleading.
Similarly, US Congressman Riley Moore faulted President Bola Tinubu’s position that Nigeria does not encourage religious persecution, insisting the situation on the ground suggests otherwise.
