The Silenced Cry: Persecuted Christians and the Prophetic Legacy of Pope Francis

In the 21st century, persecution against Christians remains a painful reality affecting millions of people around the world. According to recent data, more than 360 million Christians face discrimination, violence, or even death for their faith.

Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, was a tireless voice in defense of these contemporary martyrs. On multiple occasions, he denounced that “there are more martyrs today than in the early centuries” of Christianity, stressing that “one should never kill in the name of God.”

In countries like Iran, 166 Christian arrests were documented in 2023, some of whom were sentenced to imprisonment, flogging, or forced labor simply for possessing Bibles. In Sudan, civil war has led to the occupation of Catholic schools by military forces, while in Pakistan, mobs burned more than 25 churches in a single day, with no effective response from the authorities.

Francis not only denounced these injustices, but also paid tribute to those who suffer for their faith. During the Angelus prayer, he recalled that “the martyrs of today do not allow themselves to be killed out of weakness, but to share with all the gift of salvation.”

Their legacy challenges us not to remain indifferent to the suffering of our persecuted brothers and sisters. As he himself expressed: “May all the holy martyrs be seeds of peace and reconciliation among peoples for a more humane and fraternal world.”
Today, more than ever, it is urgent to raise our voices for those who are silenced, following the example of courage and compassion left to us by Pope Francis.