Pope Leo XIV Condemns Benue Massacre

Global leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has condemned the brutal killing of more than 200 people in the Yelewata community of Guma local government area of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.

Speaking during his Sunday Angelus prayer from St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo described the incident as a “terrible massacre.”

He expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which reportedly targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge at a local Catholic mission.

“I am praying for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” the Catholic Pontiff said.

“In a special way, I am thinking of the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.”

LEADERSHIP reports that over 200 people were brutally killed in the Yelewata community of Guma LGA in one of the latest incidents of suspected herdsmen attacks in the state.

The killing is one of the deadliest in a series of herders-related attacks that have long afflicted the State, fueling conflict between farming communities and armed groups.