Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has used his annual address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See to issue a powerful appeal for the protection of religious freedom and to highlight what he described as one of the most serious human‑rights crises of our time — the persecution of Christians around the world. Speaking at the Vatican’s Hall of Benediction, the Pontiff underscored the urgency of safeguarding the right to freedom of religion and worship for all citizens, urging nations to do more to protect vulnerable communities.
In a wide‑ranging speech delivered on January 9, 2026, Pope Leo warned that violations of religious freedom are increasing globally, noting that religious liberty should be treated as a fundamental human right rather than a conditional privilege. Citing recent data, he pointed out that over 380 million Christians worldwide — roughly one in seven believers — endure high or extreme levels of discrimination, violence, and oppression because of their faith. The Pope emphasized that this situation worsened in 2025 due to ongoing armed conflicts, authoritarian tendencies, and the spread of religious extremism.
Although his address covered multiple dimensions of human rights, Pope Leo specifically referenced religiously motivated violence and terrorism affecting Christian communities in several regions, spotlighting Bangladesh, the Sahel region of Africa, Nigeria, Cabo Delgado in Mozambique, and the June 2025 terrorist attack on Saint Elias parish in Damascus, Syria. By highlighting these global hotspots, the Pontiff sought to draw international attention to the plight of persecuted believers in areas where insecurity and extremism have contributed to a wave of attacks on religious minorities.
While stressing that Christians are not alone in facing restrictions on religious expression, the Pope expressed concern that even in majority‑Christian societies — including parts of Europe and the Americas — believers sometimes encounter “subtle forms of religious discrimination”. These include limitations on public proclamation of faith, particularly when faith communities engage in advocacy for the dignity of vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, families, and unborn children — issues the Church regards as central to its moral teaching.
Pope Leo’s speech reiterated the Holy See’s ongoing commitment to freedom of conscience, religious liberty, and human dignity, which he described as foundational to peace, justice, and social cohesion. He drew on Catholic teaching, recalling that religious freedom is considered by the Church to be “the first of all human rights” because it reflects the most fundamental reality of the human person.
The Pope’s appeal to diplomatic representatives came at a time when global advocacy for the protection of religious minorities has intensified. Various international organisations, including religious freedom watchdogs, have reported rising levels of persecution against Christians and other faith groups, with millions subject to violent attacks, forced displacement, discrimination, and restrictions on worship. These concerns have prompted calls for stronger legal protections, greater enforcement of human‑rights norms, and enhanced cooperation among governments and civil society to defend vulnerable populations.
Pope Leo also condemned broad threats to human rights beyond religious persecution, warning that fundamental freedoms such as free speech and freedom of conscience are increasingly under pressure in many societies. He urged the global community to reaffirm its commitment to a rights framework that respects life, dignity, and the free expression of belief, rather than one that divides or marginalizes based on ideology or political agendas.
In addressing Christian persecution specifically, the Pontiff’s remarks reflect a sustained concern within the Catholic Church over the sufferings of believers who face violence, discrimination, and restrictions due to their faith. Advocacy groups and religious freedom organisations have echoed similar findings, documenting patterns of persecution that span continents and reflect complex intersections of political conflict, religious intolerance, and social marginalization.
By spotlighting these issues before the diplomatic corps, Pope Leo underscored the Vatican’s view that protecting the rights of religious individuals and communities is inseparable from broader efforts to uphold human rights and preserve international peace. His address called upon governments to ensure that religious freedom is not merely a rhetorical commitment but a lived reality for all people, regardless of belief.
The Pope’s intervention is likely to resonate with international actors engaged in promoting freedom of religion or belief and may contribute to ongoing discussions on how best to support communities under threat — particularly in regions where violence, instability, and extremist ideologies continue to fuel persecution.
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