Pope Leo XIV Expresses Concern Over Discrimination and Persecution of Christians in Bangladesh: A Damaging Message for the Country’s International Image

Staff Correspondent

Vatican City, 23 November 2025: Pope Leo XIV has voiced deep concern over the discrimination and persecution faced by Christian communities in various parts of the world. He specifically highlighted Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and several other countries where attacks on Christian communities and places of worship are frequently reported, stating that God desires peace among all His children. This statement has once again brought Bangladesh’s recent communal attacks into the global spotlight, and is widely seen as highly damaging to the country’s international reputation.

Pope Leo XIV (birth name: Robert Francis Prevost), the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was elected on 8 May 2025. He is the first American Pope and the second Pope from the Americas (after Pope Francis).

On 16 November, following the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, he delivered the message, which was later published on the Pope’s official X (Twitter) account:

“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!”

Pope Leo XIV continued: “I accompany in prayer the families of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a massacre of civilians has taken place in recent days. Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good.”

He also offered prayers for the ongoing war in Ukraine, victims of road accidents, and survivors of sexual abuse.The Pope’s specific mention of persecution of Christians in Bangladesh has drawn worldwide attention. Christians constitute only about 0.3% of Bangladesh’s population and often face discrimination as a minority community. Amid recent political instability, allegations have grown that misinformation spread on social media and the activities of extremist groups have led to an increase in attacks on minority communities.

Since August 2024, incidents such as the burning of Christian homes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and cocktail attacks on churches and church-run schools in Dhaka have been widely reported in various national newspapers.

According to the international human-rights organisation Open Doors, in 2025 Christian children and teenagers in Bangladesh have faced bullying in schools, and obtaining Bibles in rural areas has become increasingly difficult.

This papal statement poses a significant challenge for the Bangladesh government. Although the interim administration led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has promised steps to protect minorities, no substantial measures have been visible on the ground. On the international stage, such pronouncements have raised serious questions about Bangladesh’s image of religious tolerance.

Analysts say the Pope’s remarks could affect Bangladesh’s diplomatic relations, particularly with Western countries, and will intensify demands for greater proactivity in safeguarding minority rights.

Archbishop of Kolkata Cardinal Sebastian D’Souza commented: “The Pope’s appeal serves as a reminder to Christians worldwide that no society can progress without peace and tolerance.”Christian leaders in Bangladesh have welcomed the message and urged the government to provide firm assurances of security.

Pope Leo XIV’s expression of concern not only shows solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world but also serves as a clear call to Bangladesh to be more vigilant in protecting religious freedom and minority rights.