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Pope Leo XIV honored hundreds of Christians killed for their faith in the 21st century during an ecumenical service in Rome.

The Vatican has documented over 1,500 martyrs since 2000, including victims of Islamic militants, Amazon ranchers and criminal organizations.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the most deaths at 643, with the pope lamenting that persecution continues to grow worldwide.

ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday honored hundreds of Christians who have been killed for their faith in the 21st century, praising their courage and lamenting that their numbers were growing in many parts of the world.

The Vatican has been documenting these Christian martyrs, not as part of its

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