Christian persecution

Pope Leo spoke to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See in the Vatican Apostolic Palace Jan. 9.

Christian leaders have urged the Hindu nationalists’ government in India to speak out forcefully against Christian persecution and ensure accountability.

 The U.S. has carried out a deadly Dec. 25 strike in northwestern Nigeria, with President Donald Trump stating the attack targeted Islamic State group terrorists who persecuted Christians in that …

The panelists invited U.S. Catholics to see the human dignity of Christians suffering in Iraq and Nigeria and to pray for those facing persecution worldwide.

The students were both male and female and ranged in age from 10 to 18, the Christian Association of Nigeria said in a statement.

“Kivu is … full of precious resources that has always been contested,” said Father Giovanni Piumatti. “That is why these Islamist groups receive backing.”

“The persecution of Christians does not only happen through mistreatment and weapons” but also “through lies and ideological manipulation,” the pope said.

“Despite the fear, despite the loss, our people still come to church,” the bishop said. “Our faith is alive — maybe more alive than ever.”

“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump posted on Truth Social.

Violence against Christians has escalated in recent years from Islamic extremist groups but Muslim communities have also been hit hard by the violence.