Camille Naredo

Pope Leo XIV leaves following a Divine Liturgy at Patriarchal Church of Saint George, in Istanbul on November 30, 2025. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)

Article (news)

Pope Leo

Reuters Wires

<p>During his Sunday Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation and said he was following developments after the United States&#x27; toppling of President Nicolas Maduro with a &quot;soul full of concern&quot;.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/1/4/philippines-calls-for-restraint-after-us-air-strikes-operation-in-venezuela-1013">READ: Condemnation, calls for caution in PH after US attack on Venezuela</a></div><p>Leo, the first American pope, also called for respect for human rights and the rule of law &quot;as enshrined&quot; in Venezuela&#x27;s constitution.</p><p>&quot;The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over any other consideration and lead to overcome violence and embark on paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country&quot;,  the Pope told pilgrims in St. Peter&#x27;s Square.</p><p>U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said the U.S. would take control of oil-rich Venezuela after ordering a raid to capture Maduro, who is currently being held in a New York detention center awaiting drug charges.</p><p>Leo, who has criticized some of Trump&#x27;s right-wing policies, in December had urged the U.S. president not to oust Maduro using military force.</p><div><strong>(Production: Claudia Chieppa)</strong></div>

<p>During his Sunday Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation.</p>

During his Sunday Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation.

Pope Leo says Venezuela's sovereignty should be guaranteed

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Pope Leo says Venezuela's sovereignty should be guaranteed

Reuters

Published January 04, 2026 10:20 PM PHT

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Pope Leo

Vatican

Venezuela

Donald Trump

United States

Nicolas Maduro

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