Years ago. one could expect to hear the Pope speaking out about this as a number one concern. Nowadays. top priorities seem to be Sanctuary Cities and the erasing of borders.
Lee - you say you would expect to hear the Pope speaking about the persecution of Christians - have you ever read or heard the 2024 Synod on Synodality (Oct), where the Pope highlighted “persecuted Churches” in Asia and Africa.
Or the Jan 2025 address to the Diplomatic Corps, where he called out “religious freedom violations” in Nigeria, China, and India by name (per Vatican transcripts)
Or let’s focus on Pope Leo —> did you ever read these statements?
June 20, 2025: In a Vatican address, he urged religious communities to “never cease to bring consolation to those being persecuted for their faith,” emphasizing remembrance and support for victims worldwide.
Full text: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/june/documents/20250620-capitoli-generali.html
Vatican News summary:
July 2, 2025: He described the suffering of persecuted Christians as “a wound in the heart of the church” and issued a direct call to end such persecution, highlighting it in a major Vatican statement.
International Christian Concern report (with direct papal quote): https://persecution.org/2025/07/02/a-rising-hope-pope-leo-xivs-call-to-end-christian-persecution/
July 29, 2025: During a general audience, he expressed closeness to persecuted Christians in the Middle East, specifically referencing “heinous terrorist” acts against them.
Full audience text: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2025/documents/20250730-udienza-generale.html
Vatican News appeal: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-appeal-general-audience-30-july-2025-vatican.html
September 15, 2025: Speaking on modern martyrs, he noted that “despite the end of the great dictatorships of the 20th century, to this day the persecution of Christians has not ended,” praising their witness of love amid hatred.
Full homily: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250914-omelia-martiri.html
Vatican News coverage: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-09/pope-to-preside-at-ecumenical-commemoration-of-modern-martyrs.html
October 10, 2025: In an audience with Aid to the Church in Need, he called for a “renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians,”
underscoring their role as “peacemakers” in conflict zones.
Full address: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/october/documents/20251010-acs.html
Vatican News summary: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-10/pope-leo-xiv-aid-church-need-international-religious-freedom.html
Have you ever read or heard of any of these, Lee?
Unfortunately.