By Gabriel Ani
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday condemned recent attacks on communities in Nigeria that resulted in significant loss of life, expressing sorrow for the victims and urging authorities to act decisively to protect citizens.
“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life,” the pontiff said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The pope said he was praying for those affected by the violence, which he described as acts of terrorism, and emphasized solidarity with grieving families and communities.
“I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism,” he said.
He also called on Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to guarantee public safety amid recurring attacks in different parts of the country.
“I likewise hope that the competent authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen,” the pope said, ending the message with the hashtag #PrayTogether.
Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges in recent years, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and central regions, and communal violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more.
The pope’s message, posted at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, drew hundreds of thousands of views within hours, reflecting global concern over the deteriorating security situation in Africa’s most populous nation.
