In a deeply moving address at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has condemned the horrific massacre that took place in Benue State, Nigeria, offering prayers for the nearly 200 lives lost and calling for urgent action to restore peace and security in the troubled region.
Speaking before the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Pope expressed profound sorrow over the “terrible massacre” in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, which occurred during the night of June 13 and 14, 2025. He revealed that most of the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom had been taking refuge in shelters provided by the local Catholic mission.
“I pray for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” Pope Leo said, emphasizing his deep concern for the rural Christian communities in Benue, who he noted have been relentlessly victimized by repeated waves of violence.
This papal call for peace comes amid mounting international concern over the escalating crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. For years, farming communities in states like Benue have faced sustained attacks, often resulting in mass killings, displacement, and widespread trauma.
On Saturday, Amnesty International Nigeria also weighed in, issuing a statement demanding immediate intervention by the Nigerian government. “The near-daily bloodshed in Benue State must stop,” the rights organization declared, pointing to the state’s repeated failure to protect vulnerable citizens and prosecute those responsible.
As voices of conscience around the world rise in solidarity with Nigeria’s victims, many are now urging the government to not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also to tackle the root causes of the violence—before even more lives are lost.