The Vatican says that over 100,000 Christians every year worldwide are killed for their belief in Christ.

Monsignor Silvano Maria Tomasi stated on Vatican Radio that the “shocking” number comes from murders in mostly the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition to the murders, Christians have been forced to leave their homes and see their churches destroyed.

Tomasi also said the Vatican has evidence of rapes, kidnapping and various forms of discrimination.

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Mario Toso said that discrimination among Christians “should be countered in the same way as anti-Semitism.”