Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, warned on March 3 that Christians remain the most targeted religious group globally.
Speaking at a UN event titled “Standing with Persecuted Christians,” he highlighted rising violence and discrimination against believers, according to Vatican News.
Global reports indicate that nearly 400 million Christians worldwide currently face persecution or violence because of their faith. The archbishop indicated that almost 5,000 Christians were killed for their beliefs in 2025, averaging about 13 deaths a day.
The Vatican diplomat emphasised that governments bear the primary responsibility for safeguarding religious freedom. He stated that nations must protect believers before, during and after attacks and prevent violations by third parties. He added that perpetrators often face no consequences, which is a serious global concern.
The Holy See representative also noted that religious persecution often goes unrecorded in official data.
According to observers, Christian communities in several regions experience social exclusion, professional discrimination and restrictions on public expressions of faith.
Data from the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe reportedly recorded more than 2,200 anti-Christian incidents across Europe in 2024. The archbishop stressed that attacks on believers ultimately undermine both religious freedom and fundamental human rights.