Pope Leo XIV Speaks Up on Christian Genocide in Nigeria: Condemns Persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Calls for Prayers
By: Olufemi Orunsola
In a move that further beams global searchlight on the security situation in Nigeria, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has designated the populous African country as one of several countries where Christians continue to experience discrimination and persecution, listing it alongside Bangladesh, Mozambique, Sudan, and others.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered from multiple international media sources that the pontiff who made his position known on Sunday, Novemebr 16 via his official X account, expressed concerns over frequent attacks on Christian communities and places of worship.
The Pope appealed to Christians across the world to make intercessory prayers for peace and solidarity on the worrisome development.
In his words, “I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship. God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children!”
The Pope also called for prayers for the families of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where recent massacres claimed the lives of civilians.
“Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good,” he added.
The Pope’s statement is coming after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) due to reports of religious persecution, threatening possible military intervention if the situation persists.
OTN News recalls that the Nigerian government, in swift response, has since made frantic efforts to rejected the designated as a Country of Particular Concern, pushi g the narratives that what obtains in the country is simply insecurity amd not genocide or targeting of a particular faith, allegedly supported by government inactions or actions.
Although President Tinubu has openly admitted that the country is bleeding under widespread insecurity orchestrated by bandits and multiple sects of terrorists organisations including ISIS, the country has not made any move to specifically request direct military interventions from the United States.
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