Pope Leo XIV has said that the ongoing violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, linking the killings to extremist activity as well as economic and land-related conflicts.

His comments come amid renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security crisis.

The Pope made the remarks in a video that went viral on Friday, recorded during an interview on Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Responding to a question on whether Christians were facing genocide in Nigeria, the Pope said:

“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered.”

He explained that the drivers of the violence are varied.

“There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, and control of the lands that they have,” he said.

Pope Leo XIV urged stronger action from the Nigerian government to guarantee the safety of all citizens and protect religious liberty.

“Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom,” he added.

His comments come weeks after controversy surrounding earlier remarks by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who said Nigeria’s insecurity was “not a religious conflict, but rather a social conflict… between herders and farmers.”

Parolin’s statement, delivered during the launch of the 2025 Religious Freedom Report by Aid to the Church in Need, drew criticism from groups who accused him of repeating “Nigerian government talking points.” He also noted that extremist groups target Muslims as well.

“Many Muslims who come to Nigeria are victims of this intolerance… groups that make no distinctions to advance their goals,” Parolin said.

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV again referenced Nigeria in a message addressing global attacks on Christian communities.

“In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution… I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan… God desires peace among all His children!” he wrote on X.

The renewed attention follows the recent redesignation of Nigeria by U.S. President Donald Trump as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over allegations of Christian genocide — a claim the Nigerian government has dismissed as false and misleading.

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on the redesignation on Thursday, where lawmakers, State Department officials, religious leaders and advocacy groups presented sharply divided views.