Pope Leo on Sunday (February 8) prayed for the victims of recent attacks in Nigeria, as well as for communities struck by severe flooding and landslides in Portugal, Morocco, Spain and southern Italy.

Nearly 200 people were killed this week in a string of assaults across Nigeria, including 170 in a massacre in Kwara state that prompted President Bola Tinubu to deploy an army battalion.

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus message, the pontiff expressed his "closeness in prayer" to all those affected by violence and terrorism, urging authorities to protect every citizen.

Leo also turned his attention to Europe and North Africa, praying for the populations hit by extreme weather, citing the Spanish town of Grazalema in Andalusia and Niscemi in Sicily.

More than 11,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Spain’s southern Andalusia region, while over 1,600 were displaced in the Sicilian municipality as a major landslide has destabilised the historic centre.

Concluding his address, the pope renewed his broader plea for global peace, warning that strategies built on "economic and military power" offer no lasting future for humanity.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 8, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING FROM WINDOW OF APOSTOLIC PALACE

2. POPE WAVING FROM WINDOW

3. PEOPLE IN ST PETER’S SQUARE APPLAUDING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"It is with sorrow and concern that I have learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, which have caused serious loss of life. I express my closeness in prayer to all the victims of violence and terrorism. I hope that the competent authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of every citizen's life."

5. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I assure my prayers for the people of Portugal, Morocco, Spain, particularly Grazalema in Andalusia, and southern Italy, especially Niscemi in Sicily, affected by floods and landslides. I encourage communities to remain united and supportive, with the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary."

7. PEOPLE IN SQUARE WAVING FLAGS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Let us continue to pray for peace. Economic and military power strategies, as history teaches us, do not offer a future for humanity. The future lies in respect and brotherhood among peoples. I wish you all a happy Sunday."

9. PEOPLE IN SQUARE