POPE Leo XIV has dismissed claims that Christians alone are being targeted in Nigeria’s security crisis, insisting that the country’s violence affects Christians, Muslims, and various communities across different regions.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Pope made the remarks on Thursday while speaking with journalists as he departed his Castel Gandolfo residence in the Vatican.
He was responding to a question from EWTN News about concerns in the West regarding the safety of Nigerian Christians.
Addressing the issue, the pontiff said Nigeria’s complex insecurity challenges are driven by a combination of terrorism, economic stress, and deep-rooted struggles over land and resources not a campaign to eliminate Christians.
“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.
He explained that the situation goes beyond religion, noting that extremist violence has claimed lives across multiple faith groups.
“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.
“Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
Pope Leo XIV’s clarification comes amid renewed global scrutiny after U.S. President Donald Trump recently designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for alleged violations of religious freedom with some groups claiming Christians are facing genocide.
Nigeria’s government swiftly rejected the genocide narrative, insisting that portraying the violence as one-sided misrepresents the realities on the ground, where both Christians and Muslims have suffered heavy casualties.
This position aligns with comments made last month by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who described Nigeria’s violence as largely driven by socio-economic tensions, including clashes between herders and farmers, rather than a religious war.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has intensified diplomatic efforts to counter the CPC designation. On Wednesday, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led a high-powered government delegation to the United States to address the concerns directly.
The delegation met with U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, who was tasked by President Trump to review allegations of Christian persecution and report back to the White House.
Moore described the engagement as “frank, honest, and productive,” noting that the Nigerian officials provided extensive briefings on the origins, dynamics, and evolving responses to the country’s security challenges.