Vatican City: In a heartfelt appeal for peace and justice, Pope Leo XIV on Sunday offered solemn prayers for the victims of a horrific massacre in Benue State, Nigeria, while extending his concern to several conflict zones around the world, including Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, the Pope expressed deep sorrow over the mass killing of nearly 200 people in Yelwata, a village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Most of the victims were internally displaced persons who had taken shelter under the care of a local Catholic mission. The attack, which took place on the night of June 13th to 14th, has been described by international observers as one of the bloodiest episodes in the region in recent months.
Pope Leo mourned the senseless loss of life and called for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria. He specifically invoked prayerful support for the Christian farming communities of Benue, who he noted have been repeatedly targeted by violence. The Pope’s remarks echoed the sentiments of Amnesty International Nigeria, which earlier urged the Nigerian government to act decisively and bring the perpetrators of recurring attacks in Benue to justice.
Turning his thoughts to Sudan, Pope Leo shared the tragic news of Fr. Luke Jumu, the parish priest of El Fasher, who was reportedly killed in an airstrike amid the country’s ongoing civil war. Calling his death another sign of the suffering borne by innocent civilians, the Pope appealed to the warring parties in Sudan to end hostilities, protect civilians, and pursue dialogue as the only viable path to peace.
He also made a passionate plea to the international community to increase humanitarian support for Sudanese citizens who continue to endure immense hardship, with widespread famine, displacement, and devastation marking daily life across the war-torn country.
The Pope’s call for peace extended further afield to include Israel and Iran, whose recent military confrontations have sparked global alarm. He also prayed for Ukraine, still under siege due to the prolonged Russian invasion, and for Myanmar, where conflict persists despite recent signs of a tentative ceasefire. In his message, Pope Leo stressed that only inclusive dialogue could lead to sustainable peace in Myanmar, warning that violence and exclusion will only deepen the national crisis.
In a touching tribute, the Pope also remembered Floribert Bwana Chui, a young Congolese customs officer martyred in 2007. Chui was brutally killed for refusing to allow the entry of spoiled rice into the Democratic Republic of Congo, standing firm in his conviction that the public’s health must not be compromised.
“He stood against corruption and defended the weak,” Pope Leo said, “because as a Christian, he could not tolerate injustice.” With great joy, the Pope announced that Chui would be beatified later that day, and expressed his hope that the young martyr's witness would inspire the youth of Africa to stand for truth and moral courage.
Before concluding, Pope Leo greeted the many athletes and sport enthusiasts who had gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of Sport. Describing sport as a “school of respect, fairness, and fraternity,” he underlined its role in promoting unity, peace, and mutual understanding across cultural and national boundaries.
“Sport can be a powerful instrument of hope,” he said, “not just on the field, but in the hearts of people and nations striving for peace.”
The Angelus ended with Pope Leo’s renewed plea for reconciliation over revenge, dialogue over division, and a global commitment to protect the dignity of every human life, especially the most vulnerable.