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Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, has pushed back claims that Christians are facing genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that the country’s violence affects Christians, Muslims, and other groups alike.
He spoke while addressing journalists as he left his Castel Gandolfo residence in The Vatican.
He was asked a question about the safety of Nigerian Christians amid rising concerns in the West.
He attributed the situation to a mix of terrorism, economic pressures, and struggles 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, addressing a question from EWTN News.
“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. Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s very, it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
Daily Trust reports that the Pope’s remarks on genocide come in the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent decision to name Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for alleged violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria’s government rejected the claim that Christians were being singled out for attacks.
The government said portraying the crisis as targeting one religion misrepresents the reality on the ground.
Daily Trust reports that the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, also last month described the violence in Nigeria as a social conflict, often between herders and farmers, rather than a religious war.
He made the remarks during the presentation of the 2025 Religious Freedom Report by Aid to the Church in Need.
On Wednesday, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, led a high-powered delegation to the United States over the allegation of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
One of those whom the Nigerian delegation met with was Congressman Riley Moore, whom Trump delegated to investigate the alleged persecution issue and report back to him.
Ribadu’s team took time to explain the crisis in the country to Moore, who said he had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with them.
