Pope Leo XIV has spoken out against the killing of about 200 people in Benue State, Nigeria, describing the attack as a “terrible massacre.” He also led a prayer for the victims and called for lasting peace and justice in the country.
The Pope made the statement from the Vatican shortly before the Sunday Angelus prayer, where he expressed deep sadness over the loss of life, particularly in the rural communities of Benue that have suffered repeated violence.
The tragedy happened during the night of June 13th and 14th in Yelwata, a community located in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the message shared on the Vatican News’ official X (formerly Twitter) account, Pope Leo noted that most of the victims were internally displaced persons who had taken refuge at a local Catholic mission. The victims were attacked by suspected armed herdsmen in what is being described as one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent months.
“Speaking just before delivering the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Pope prayed for ‘security, justice, and peace’ in Nigeria, adding that he was thinking in particular of the ‘rural Christian communities of the Benue State who have been relentless victims of violence’,” the report read.
The Pope also urged the faithful to pray for the victims and for an end to the violence that has become common in parts of central Nigeria. His message has drawn global attention to the growing insecurity and religious tensions in the region.
In response to the attack, Amnesty International Nigeria released a statement on Saturday urging the Nigerian government to take action. The group stated: “Nigerian authorities [must] immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice.”
