The Pope is right. There are more Christian martyrs today than ever

Pope Francis has set up a new commission to identify Christians of all denominations who have been murdered for following Jesus this century. But is it really more dangerous to be a Christian today than in the days of the early Church?

Like many, I somehow assumed martyrdom belonged to the first century AD.

St Paul, for example, was an old man when he wrote the book of Romans. He’d been imprisoned for years and knew his end would be gruesome. According to the Roman historian, Eusebius, he was eventually beheaded in 68 AD, during a period of intense persecution by Emperor Nero. Simon Peter and his wife apparently followed swiftly after. Peter watched his wife go to die before him, calling out to her as she passed his cell. The other apostles fared no better. Bartholomew was flayed alive. Thomas speared by four soldiers. James was stoned and clubbed to death. The list goes on.