By RismadarVoice Reporters
January 4, 2026
Pope Leo XIV has urged that Venezuela remain an independent nation, expressing deep concern over recent developments following the United States’ removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power.
Speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff said he was watching the situation “with a soul full of concern”, called for respect for human rights, the rule of law, Venezuela’s constitutional sovereignty.
“We must not delay in overcoming violence, embarking on paths of justice and peace, while guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty,” the Pope said, according to Reuters.
The remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a raid that led to Maduro’s capture. The Venezuelan leader is currently being held in a New York detention centre on drug-related charges.
Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, also called for respect for the Venezuelan people’s rights as tensions continue to grow in the region.
He has previously criticized the idea of military force being used to remove a national leader, urging dialogue and peaceful solutions to political crises.
