Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, has included Nigeria in a list of countries where Christians reportedly face discrimination and persecution. The pontiff made the remarks on Sunday, November 16, via his official X account, expressing concern over frequent attacks on Christian communities and places of worship.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV named Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries, urging prayers for peace and solidarity among all believers:

“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 families affected by recent massacres in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and encouraged believers to work together for the common good.

This statement aligns with concerns previously raised by US President Donald Trump, who re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) over reports of religious persecution. However, the Nigerian government has rejected this classification, emphasizing that the country remains secular and does not support any targeting of specific faiths or acts of genocide.

The Pope’s remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing religious communities in parts of the world and the need for global attention and prayers for peace.