Pope Leo XIV has dismissed claims that Christians in Nigeria are being singled out for genocide, stressing that the ongoing violence affects people of all faiths, including Muslims.
Speaking to journalists at his Castel Gandolfo residence in The Vatican on Thursday, the Pope said the crisis in Nigeria stems from a mix of terrorism, economic pressures, and disputes over land.
“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered,” he said in response to questions from EWTN News.
“It’s important for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
The Pope’s remarks come shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing alleged violations of religious freedom.
The Nigerian government has rejected the claim, insisting that portraying the violence as targeting a single religion misrepresents the situation.
Last month, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, also described the violence as primarily a social conflict between farmers and herders rather than a religious war.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, led a delegation to the United States on Wednesday to address the allegations of Christian persecution.
The team met with Congressman Riley Moore, who described the discussions as frank and productive.
The Vatican and Nigerian authorities appear united in their assessment that the violence in Nigeria is complex, cutting across religious and ethnic lines, rather than a targeted campaign against Christians.
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