US EditionPope honors 21st century martyrs: Christians killed by Islamic militants, mafias, Amazon ranchers
Pope Leo XIV highlighted over 1,500 Christian martyrs worldwide since 2000, persecuted by militants and others for their faith and defense of human rights, Vatican commission reported.
- On September 14, 2025, Pope Leo XIV led an ecumenical prayer service in Rome honoring new Christian martyrs killed over the past 25 years for their faith worldwide.
- The Vatican established a study commission in 2023 to document over 1,600 martyrdom cases reported by church groups across continents, distinct from sainthood processes.
- The service united Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant leaders from over 30 denominations, recalling victims such as Sister Dorothy Stang, killed in 2005 defending Amazon settlers.
- Pope Leo emphasized that the sacrifice of Christian martyrs helps advance the Gospel message and expressed sorrow that persecution has intensified even after the fall of 20th-century dictatorships.
- The event reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to remember all Christians killed for their faith regardless of denomination, emphasizing unity through the 'ecumenism of blood.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Observador
Noticias ao MinutoAmong the victims, there are cases of Christians killed by Islamic soldiers, mafia groups or farmers in the Amazon, involved in the defence of the tropical forest and the poor.
‘No one can silence their voice’: Pope Leo XIV honors modern martyrs at ecumenical service
Pope Leo XIV presides over an ecumenical commemoration of the martyrs and witnesses of faith of the 21st century at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on September 14, 2025. / Elias Turl Vatican City, Sep 14, 2025 / 12:38 pm (CNA). P... [...]
Despite the fall of the great dictatorships of the 20th century, the persecution of Christians has not yet ended; in fact, it has intensified in some parts of the world, Pope Leo XIV said in his homily during Holy Mass celebrated in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The ceremony commemorated the martyrs and witnesses of the faith of the 21st century. The article "Pope calls for the blood of martyrs to become the seed of unity" comes fr…
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