Pope Leo XIV addressed the ongoing violence in Nigeria during his noonday prayer in St Peter’s Square, expressing deep sorrow over the recent attacks that left several dead and many abducted. Most notably, a recent incident saw gunmen kill three villagers and abduct a Catholic priest alongside his parishioners, raising alarm across the community. The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna state reported these attacks as part of a rising trend of violence in the region, highlighting a significant deterioration in safety for local citizens.

In his statement, the Pope expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the need for stronger action by authorities to ensure the safety of all Nigerian citizens. His call for peace comes amidst increasing fears among Nigerians regarding the effectiveness of government responses to this wave of violence, which has been attributed to various armed groups and extremist factions operating within the country.

The Pope’s remarks resonate with a broader international concern about the stability of Nigeria, as continued violence threatens to disrupt communities and challenge the government’s authority. As local and global communities listen, there are heightened expectations for the Nigerian government to act decisively in addressing the root causes of conflict and restoring order, while also protecting vulnerable populations from ongoing attacks.