On Sunday, Pope Leo offered prayers for the victims of the “terrible massacre” that occurred in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Addressing the tragedy just before delivering the Angelus prayer on June 15, the Pope expressed deep sorrow over the attack that claimed the lives of approximately 200 people.
The violent assault, reportedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, began late on Friday, June 13, and continued into the early hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025. According to Pope Leo, many of those killed were internally displaced persons who had been receiving shelter from the local Catholic mission.
In his remarks, the Pope called for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, and expressed special concern for the “rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International Nigeria issued a statement on Saturday condemning the attack and urging Nigerian authorities to “immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice.”
