The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV, has expressed concern over rising discrimination and persecution faced by Christians in several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on X on Sunday, the pope also listed Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Sudan among places where repeated attacks on worship centres and faith communities have been reported.

He extended prayers to families in Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a recent massacre of civilians in the area.

The pope urged an end to violence and called on believers to unite in promoting peace and the common good.

He wrote, "In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution. I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship.

"God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children! I accompany in prayer the families of Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where in recent days there has been a massacre of civilians. Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good."

His comment came after United States President, Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account a few weeks ago, instructed the U.S. War Department to prepare for a possible strike in Nigeria.

He accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what he described as the killings of Christians across the country.

Trump warned that the United States would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria if the attacks on Christians continue.

He also indicated that America might intervene militarily to eliminate what he called "Islamic terrorists" responsible for the killings.

"If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing,' to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities," Trump wrote.

He further stated, "I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!"