Catholic pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has condemned the recent massacre of approximately 200 people in Nigeria’s Benue State, offering prayers for the victims and calling for peace and justice.
In a post shared via the Vatican News X (formerly Twitter) handle, the pope expressed deep sorrow over what he described as a “terrible massacre” in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area. The victims, many of whom were internally displaced persons sheltered by a local Catholic mission, were killed on the night of June 13–14 by suspected armed herdsmen.
“May security, justice, and peace prevail in Nigeria,” Pope Leo said during his remarks before the Sunday Angelus prayer, adding that he was especially mindful of the rural Christian communities in Benue State who “have been relentless victims of violence.”
Amnesty International Nigeria also responded to the tragedy, urging Nigerian authorities on Saturday to take immediate action to end the “almost daily bloodshed” in Benue and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
