Pope Leo has condemned the recent massacre in Benue State, Nigeria, offering prayers and expressing deep sorrow for the victims of what he described as a “terrible massacre.”

During his Sunday Angelus address from St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff specifically referenced the attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed in one of the deadliest herdsmen attacks in recent times.

The Pope noted that many of the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had taken refuge in a local Catholic mission, making the tragedy particularly painful.

“I am praying for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” Pope Leo said. “In a special way, I am thinking of the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.”

The Pope’s remarks add to growing international concern over the ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where attacks on farming communities have escalated in both frequency and brutality.

Local and international human rights organizations have repeatedly called for stronger protections for vulnerable communities in the area, and Pope Leo’s statement is expected to draw further global attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Benue State.