Geneva: The Holy See has raised serious concern about the growing persecution of Christians across the world, saying that nearly 400 million believers face violence, discrimination, or restrictions because of their faith.
Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, spoke about the issue during an event titled Standing with Persecuted Christians Defending the Faith and Christian Values held on March 3.
He said that Christians are currently the most persecuted religious community in the world. According to the Archbishop, about one in seven Christians globally experiences some form of persecution or violence.
He also revealed that nearly 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2025 alone. This means that on average about 13 Christians lost their lives every day because of their beliefs.
Archbishop Balestrero explained that Christians who die for their faith are considered martyrs, meaning witnesses to their faith. However, from the perspective of international law, they are victims of serious human rights violations. He stressed that their sacrifice should not overshadow the responsibility of governments that failed to protect them.
He reminded nations that protecting freedom of religion is a fundamental duty of the state. Governments must ensure that people are able to practice their faith freely and safely, and they must prevent others from violating this right.
The Archbishop also said that governments should respect the right of individuals and communities to express their beliefs publicly and privately through worship, practice, and teaching.
He noted that persecution takes many forms around the world. In some places Christians face physical violence, false imprisonment, loss of property, forced displacement, and even death because of their faith.
The issue is not limited to certain regions. In Europe alone, more than 760 anti Christian hate crimes were recorded in 2024, including attacks on churches, vandalism, and physical assaults.
Archbishop Balestrero also warned about more subtle forms of persecution that often go unnoticed. These include social and professional discrimination, exclusion from public life, and legal restrictions that limit the ability of Christians to live out their faith.
Citing data from the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe, he said that 2,211 incidents affecting Christians were documented in Europe in 2024. Some cases involved legal action against individuals for silently praying near abortion facilities or quoting Bible verses on social issues.
He said such situations represent serious violations of the rights of Christians, especially when they occur in countries that are expected to protect human rights and religious freedom.
Archbishop Balestrero concluded by reflecting on the meaning of the cross in Christian life. He said the vertical line of the cross represents humanity’s relationship with God, while the horizontal line symbolizes relationships with others. Attacks on Christians, he said, ultimately threaten both dimensions by trying to silence faith and weaken the bonds within communities.
He urged nations to take stronger action to ensure that the fundamental right to religious freedom is respected and protected everywhere in the world.