Nigerian Catholic bishops, during their recent “ad limina” meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, raised the alarm over the violence and insurgency they face as apostles serving in various parts of Nigeria.

The meeting of Nigerian bishops with the pontiff—held between March 1 and 16—takes place by canon law once every five years. 

The bishops told EWTN News they took the opportunity during their meeting with the pope to inform him of the problems facing the church in Nigeria.

Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna, who was recently elected head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said, “Before we came to Rome, we bishops sent reports on our dioceses to the Vatican, and the summary was given to the Holy Father.”

He added, “But beyond what was written, we discussed with him the violence, the insurgencies, and the difficulties we face as apostles on the ground.”

Archbishop Adewale Martins of Lagos said, “The issue of Christian violence came up very strongly with the pope, and he told us that he will use whatever possibilities he has to highlight our situation and see what he can do for us.”

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, one of Nigeria’s four cardinals and Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, who also met with the pope, told the news agency Aleteia: “No one is safe in Nigeria today, whether Christian or Muslim.” 

He added, “We’ve come to speak on behalf of all Nigerians who are suffering and wish to live in peace, whether they are Christians or Muslims.”

This comes amid a campaign on the “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, which the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied. 

Last year, amid the campaign on “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, American President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern. 

On December 25, Mr Trump ordered the U.S. military to bomb terrorists in their enclave in Sokoto, while warning that more similar military actions will happen should the Nigerian government not stop reckless killings perpetrated by terrorists in Africa’s most populous country.