Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the brutal massacre of nearly 200 people in Benue State, Nigeria, and offered heartfelt prayers for peace, justice, and security across the region.
In a statement shared via the official Vatican News X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Pope described the killings—allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area—as a “terrible massacre.”
Many of the victims were reportedly internally displaced persons sheltering at a local Catholic mission.
Addressing the faithful before the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Leo expressed grave concern over the escalating violence targeting rural Christian communities in Benue State.
He emphasised the need for compassion, justice, and an end to the ongoing bloodshed.
In a related development, Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Nigerian government to urgently intervene to stop the violence and bring those responsible for the atrocities to justice.
