Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers for the victims of a devastating massacre in Benue State, Nigeria, where approximately 200 people—mostly internally displaced persons sheltering at a local Catholic mission—were brutally killed in a midnight attack on June 13–14. He made the appeal during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, specifically mentioning the rural Christian communities of Benue State who have faced relentless violence.
The Holy Father prayed for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, echoing the sentiments of many within the country and the international community who are urging urgent intervention and the prosecution of those responsible.
Amnesty International Nigeria has also condemned the violence, urging the Nigerian government to “immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice.”
The incident is part of a larger crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where attacks on farming communities have led to significant displacement and loss of life.
Pope Leo XIV’s prayers extended beyond Nigeria to other regions affected by conflict. He condemned the ongoing civil war in Sudan, mourning the death of Rev. Luke Jumu, a parish priest killed in a recent bombing, and appealed to combatants to protect civilians and pursue dialogue for peace.
The Holy Father also appealed for humanitarian aid in the Middle East, particularly amidst the conflict between Israel and Iran. He called for peace in Ukraine and Myanmar, emphasizing the need for inclusive dialogue to achieve peaceful and stable resolutions.
