Pope Leo XIV Calls for Dialogue saying "Let us continue to pray for peace" and Prays Especially for Nigeria at Trinity Sunday Angelus - FULL TEXT


SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
POPE LEO XIV FULL TEXT ANGELUS
St. Peter's Square
Sunday, June 15, 2025
At the Sunday Angelus, following Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV prays for victims of conflicts in Nigeria, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and the Middle East.   Pope Leo prayed on Trinity Sunday for the victims of a “terrible massacre” in Benue State, Nigeria. Around 200 people were “brutally killed” in Yelwata, in the Guma Local Government Area on the night of the 13th/14th June – most of them internally displaced persons “sheltered by the local Catholic mission”.
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Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
We have just concluded the Eucharistic celebration for the Jubilee of Sport , and now with joy I address my greeting to all of you, athletes of all ages and from all backgrounds! I urge you to live sporting activity, even at competitive levels, always with a spirit of generosity, with a “playful” spirit in the noble sense of this term, because in play and healthy fun the human person resembles his Creator.

I would also like to emphasize that sport is a way to build peace, because it is a school of respect and loyalty, which increases the culture of encounter and brotherhood. Sisters and brothers, I encourage you to practice this style consciously, opposing every form of violence and oppression.

The world today needs it so much! There are many armed conflicts. In Myanmar, despite the ceasefire, fighting continues, also causing damage to civilian infrastructure. I invite all parties to take the path of inclusive dialogue, the only one that can lead to a peaceful and stable solution.

On the night of June 13-14, a terrible massacre took place in the town of Yelwata, Gouma Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria, in which about two hundred people were killed with extreme cruelty, most of whom were internally displaced persons hosted by the local Catholic mission. I pray that security, justice and peace will prevail in Nigeria, a beloved country so affected by various forms of violence. And I pray in a special way for the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been incessantly victims of violence.

I also think of the Republic of Sudan, devastated by violence for over two years. I received the sad news of the death of Rev. Luke Jumu, parish priest of El Fasher, victim of a bombing. While I assure my prayers for him and for all the victims, I renew my appeal to the fighters to stop, protect civilians and engage in dialogue for peace. I urge the international community to intensify its efforts to provide at least essential assistance to the population, severely affected by the serious humanitarian crisis.

Let us continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, in Ukraine and throughout the world.

This afternoon, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Floribert Bwana Chui, a young Congolese martyr, will be proclaimed Blessed. He was killed at the age of twenty-six because, as a Christian, he opposed injustice and defended the little ones and the poor. May his testimony give courage and hope to the young people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and all of Africa!

Happy Sunday to all! And to you young people I say: I look forward to seeing you in a month and a half at the Jubilee of young people ! May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for us.
Source: Vatican.va - with screenshot from Vatican Media

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