VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged the international community and Venezuelans to prioritize peace, justice, and the country’s sovereignty following the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
Speaking at the midday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff called for the human and civil rights of all Venezuelans to be respected, while emphasizing the importance of protecting the rule of law enshrined in Venezuela’s constitution.
“The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration and lead us to overcome violence and to undertake paths of justice and peace, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each person and of all, and working to build together a serene future of collaboration, stability, and concord, with special attention to the poorest who suffer because of the difficult economic situation,” Pope Leo XIV said.
The pontiff invited the faithful to pray for the Venezuelan people and entrusted them to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela, St. José Gregorio Hernández, and St. Carmen Rendiles. He concluded his appeals by encouraging continued faith in God as a source of peace.
“Let us continue to have faith in the God of peace,” he said. “Let us pray and stand in solidarity with the peoples who suffer because of wars.”
The Pope’s remarks followed the early Saturday operation in which U.S. special forces entered Caracas, striking several military areas and capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their residence. The couple was transported to New York, where they are facing multiple felony charges.
In response to the events, the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference issued a message expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The bishops called for serenity, wisdom, and strength, particularly for those injured or affected by the crisis, while urging society to reject violence.
“In view of the events that our country is experiencing today, let us ask God to grant all Venezuelans serenity, wisdom, and strength,” the statement read. “We stand in solidarity with those who were injured and with the families of those who died. Let us persevere in prayer for the unity of our people.”
The Bishops’ Conference emphasized that all decisions should be guided by the common good. “We make an appeal to the people of God to live more intensely hope and fervent prayer for peace in our hearts and in society; we reject any kind of violence,” they said. “May our hands open to encounter and mutual help, and may the decisions that are made be made always for the good of our people.”
Pope Leo XIV’s call underscores the Vatican’s longstanding concern for Venezuela, urging diplomacy, prayer, and human rights protection as tensions continue to rise following the U.S. military operation.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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