Pope Leo urged that Venezuela should maintain its independence and expressed that he was monitoring the situation following the United States’ removal of President Nicolas Maduro with a “heart full of concern” on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Leo, the first pope from America, also emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law, as outlined in Venezuela’s constitution.
“We must act swiftly to overcome violence and pursue avenues of justice and peace, while ensuring the sovereignty of the nation,” the pope stated to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square during his Sunday prayer.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would assume control of the oil-rich nation of Venezuela after he ordered a raid to apprehend Maduro, who is currently detained in a New York facility awaiting drug-related charges.
Leo, who has criticized certain right-wing policies of Trump, had previously urged the U.S. president in December not to remove Maduro through military intervention.
“The welfare of the cherished Venezuelan people must take precedence over all other considerations,” the pontiff remarked.
