Christians, Muslims are victims of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, says Pope Leo

Pope Leo XIV has added his voice to the conversation on the killings in Nigeria, saying adherents of both Christianity and Islam are victims of terrorist attacks in the country.

“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered,” Pope Leo said on Tuesday evening while leaving his Castel Gandolfo residence.

The Pope made this known while addressing issues about the safety of Nigerian Christians, adding that the killings in Nigeria are multi-faceted and called on the Nigerian government to take actions seen at deepening religious freedom across the country.

“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 important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”

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Pope Leo left his Castel Gandolfo residence, Villa Barberini, to return to the Vatican after spending the day at the papal retreat, located 18 miles south of Rome.

Nigeria has been in the news since Monday November 3, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as ‘a country of particular concern.’ The U.S. government designates countries with severe religious freedom violations as countries of particular concern.

However, the Nigerian government denied the allegation, saying ongoing violence across the country is not affiliated to religious crises. “Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.

“Terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology — Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith alike. Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalized in Nigeria,” the government said in a statement posted on X on Sept. 28.