Cardinal Parolin has said that attacks on Christians in Nigeria stem from social rather than religious causes, citing shared suffering among Christians and Muslims alike.
At an event in Rome marking the release of the 2025 Religious Freedom Report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, asserted that the conflict “is not a religious conflict, but rather a social one — for example, disputes between herders and farmers.”
He added pointedly: “We should also recognise that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance.” He further warned: “These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”
