- Decries widespread killings in Nigeria
- Offers prayers for flood victims in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco
- Commiserates with flood and landslide victims in Southern Italy
- Urges all to end modern-day slave trade
Speaking to pilgrims and tourists who gathered at St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer on Sunday, 08 February 2026, the Pope expressed solidarity with the victims of violence in Nigerian communities while commiserating with the victims of floods in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and a landslide in Southern Italy.
“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, leading to a heavy loss of life.” Pope Leo XIV said.
The Pope’s message comes after a series of attacks in Nigeria. In one of the deadliest attacks this year, armed jihadists killed about 200 people across two villages in Kwara State because the villagers refused to accept the group’s invitation to preach in their mosques.
Also, in a separate attack in Katsina state, north-west, gunmen killed at least 21 people. In a related development, armed gangs reportedly killed many security personnel, including three police officers in Katsina and five soldiers in Zamfara, while they were on routine patrols and response operations.
In the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Middle Belt region of the country, suspected Fulani militia abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, Kaura, LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria, along with 10 others, killing 3 during the attack.
In a separate attack, suspected Boko Haram militants killed 25 people at a construction site in Sabon Gari, Borno State, northeast.
Prayer for flood victims in Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Italy
The Roman Pontiff used the opportunity to also pray for the victims of the flood, saying, “I offer the assurance of my prayers to the people of Portugal, Morocco, Spain — especially Grazalema in Andalusia.”
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in Portugal, Morocco and Spain due to heavy flooding and violent winter storms.
To all those “who have been affected by floods and landslides — [in] southern Italy, particularly Niscemi in Sicily,” the Pope also offered prayers.
In Niscemi, about 1000 people in the town of 25,000 were evacuated in January as a result of severe flooding that led to landslides.
The pope, who was elected on 8 May 2025, encouraged the communities “to remain united and supportive, with the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary.”
Prayers and a call for an end to the modern-day slave trade
The 267th pontiff seized the opportunity to pray for the victims of human trafficking during the World Day of Prayer and Reflection Against Human Trafficking.
The First American, born in Chicago, to ascend the papacy stressed that “peace begins with dignity,” and called for an end to modern-day slavery. He also commended all those committed to ending slavery.
“I thank the religious and all those who are committed to combating and eliminating current forms of slavery,” the vicar of Christ said.
The papacy of the 14th Pope to take the name Leo focuses on bringing people together, peace, migrant rights, environmental protection and addressing modern challenges like artificial intelligence.
